Is it professional??????????

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I work in a LTC where 90% of the nurses (including the ADON) are foreign graduates (and from the same country, actually not only nurses....the PT/OTs, dieticians and kitchen aids, laundry aids and also some CNAs are from the same country). I love diversity in workplace but the problem here is these people speak in their own language (99% of the time) while talking to other employees from their country. They don't care even if someone else, who doesn't undrestand their language, is around. I tried to tell them a couple of times but they are too many of them that it is impossible to tell each and every person to talk in english. Looks like in two years I am going to master that language.........I myself being a foreigner having different native language...I don't favor talking in native languages at workplace unless it is required to facilitate communication between the patient and the care provider..............What do you guys think? Is it professional????????????

Hmmm another point, HOW can you get more fluent in english (so that the rest of us can understand you) if you continually speak native tongue even at work?

They can take classes that target the population of ESL immigrants. But, until they become fluent, they may feel more comfortable speaking in their native language. Some people may be offended by it. Some people, such as myself, don't think twice about it. It's all about the person and how secure they feel. Why should we worry about what someone says about us if it's not true? I just don't let it bother me.

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I once worked in an environment in which I was the only one not born in Russia. I started picking up Russian.

People always spoke to me in English, and never tried to exclude me by speaking Russian, but I never presumed to tell others that they should communicate less effectively in a language in which they were not as proficient as their native tongue. They all spoke decent English but when things were crucial they reverted, which is only natural and should, I think, be accepted.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I, by no means, am not saying that we should accomodate everybody's language that immigrates to this country. But, if it is easier for them to communicate amongst one another in their native language, then I don't see a problem. Like I said earlier, it's all about how secure a person is if they it offend them. Now take me, I could care less what they are talking to one another about. It's none of my business and if they wanted me to be in their conversation, then they would talk to me, first of all. Then they would talk in a language that I understand. If they are not talking to me, then why should I care what language they are speaking?

A lot of things that english-speaking people do is considered rude, so we all do things that may not be acceptable to others. But that's life and we have to learn to deal with our differences. This country is becoming more and more diverse as we speak. We better start getting used to one another or no one will be happy. Sometimes, we as Americans, unintentionallly, can tend to think that our way is the right way and what others do doesn't make sense. But, that's what causes the tension in the world. Can't well all just accept one another as we are and learn to tolerate each other's differences?

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Hmmm another point, HOW can you get more fluent in english (so that the rest of us can understand you) if you continually speak native tongue even at work?

Well, when I was in my Russian group everyone, once they became confident that I wouldn't make fun of them, used me as their interpreter/editor/teacher and all-around explainer of things American, right down to whether their husbands HAD to be in the delivery room.

They needed to know that I did not look down on or resent them for having less-than-perfect English. And, when they started teaching me Russian, it became a lot of fun to be able to crack up at one another's errors, especially since they knew that I did not merely tolerate them, nor that I was being disrespectful. And they'd break up at my Russian sometimes, too.

Actually, I miss that environment.

Give to get.

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The first real Russian I met was a co-worker. We had lots of fun talking about stuff. She taught me my first Russian, the proper way to pronounce the trade name Smirnoff.

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vernacular and accent. I'm sure in the UK, the locals quickly know I'm American because of my American accent. When I speak another language, I speak with an American accent. Among Americans, I have a certain local accent.

I personally interpret the word accent to mean a differing pronunciation to what a particular person or group of people is accustomed to. To my ears, Brits speak with an accent. To their ears, I speak with an accent.

I still don't understand this. I'm married to a Brit, and will actually be spending ten days in the UK with my in-laws starting next week. I've spent extensive time in the UK, and while I do sing and play piano by ear and pick up a bit of the accent when I'm there for an extended period, I don't do it intentionally because Americans trying to purposely affect a Brit accent generally sound ridiculous.

If I walked around speaking in a British accent in Camberley, or said "shedule" (the Brit pronunciation of "schedule"), they'd laugh me right back on the plane; on top of looking foolish, it would seem as though I was making fun of them. I may ask my mother-in-law if she would like the groceries in the boot (meaning the trunk) instead of on the back seat, so there's no second questioning necessary, but I can assure you I do it in my own accent and not a bad interpretation of theirs.

Again, I still say that these women shouldn't appear to be "whispering" amongst themselves. That's rude and unprofessional.

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Again, I still say that these women shouldn't appear to be "whispering" amongst themselves. That's rude and unprofessional.

I don't think there's any question about that. But whispering and excluding someone is rude, period, no matter the accent.

As to accent - I've met people from Sunderland who spoke Geordie and I was dipped if I could understand a word they said. And I have a heck of a time watching certain British or Scottish movies without subtitles - and my grandparents came from Scotland and had pretty broad brogues. I gave up on "The Full Monty."

As to affected - I had a girldfriend who lived in Durham (England) for years and took years to stop dropping "Lift," "loo," and "lorry." It got annoying in the extreme.

:)

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Specializes in Psych, DD, SNF, DOU/Tele.

All I can say is get over it. I am not that insecure to feel offended because of a conversation in another language. To speak in front of patients is another story. I work in a predominantly Fillipina environment but I love my co-workers...they would give you the shirt off their back. If a few of them congregate and I'm too busy to be included then let them speak whatever they please. They could be speaking pig latin for all I care. When I'm included in the conversation, they speak English. I suppose if the shoe were on the other foot and I was a foreign country and I had someone to speak English to, I'm sure I would because it's my native tongue. Try to let go of what seems to be a racist attitude and learn how to tolerate and embrace those from different cultures.

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Specializes in Medical Detox , IV Sed., Oral Surgery.

When several others where I work start to speak in their native tongue when I walk in the room I sometimes say "OK now I'm certain you guys are talking about me! and laugh.

If people talk their native language all day at work, going home from work and at home how the heck do they expect to learn English???? No wonder there is a language barrier.

It happens all the time where I work and I speak up when they are talking about work related issues. I've learned to read body language to figure this out. Its RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL.

I can't even begin to realize how hard it must be to learn a new language. I do know that I would watch TV in that language and speak it every chance I got to learn how to speak it.

Great topic

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Specializes in MS, Hospice, LTC.

I have worked in a hospital where the majority of the nurses are Filipino. One time I asked one of my coworkers why she often chose to speak in her native language whenever she was among other Felipino nurses. She responded that although she could speak English very well, it was stressful for her to communicate/ give report in English. I know I would feel the same way if I had to give report in something other than my native language!

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I have worked in a hospital where the majority of the nurses are Filipino. One time I asked one of my coworkers why she often chose to speak in her native language whenever she was among other Felipino nurses. She responded that although she could speak English very well, it was stressful for her to communicate/ give report in English. I know I would feel the same way if I had to give report in something other than my native language!

It really is stressful to communicate in a language that is not your native language. Most people who talk to their fellow nurses who are of the same nationality do so without intending to be rude. It just comes naturally to them. I'm sure that if you tell them upfront that you dont feel comfortable whenever they do so they'd accommodate you. I, myself, am guilty of doing this. One time, a colleague told me that she feels left out whenever me and another colleague speak in our native language. From then on, I make a conscious effort to always speak in English whenever there are other people around. Sometimes, when I can't help the urge to speak in my native tongue or when I feel I can best explain what I want to say in my native language, I ask the others if it would be alright if I do not speak in English. If they say yes, yay! If not, fine. English, it is!

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Specializes in cardiac, post-op surgicals,critical care.

Wow!! That's a tough one. You are caught in the middle of respecting someone else's culture and being ethical. How about your rights? I think that that should be respected by your co-workers. For all you know, they could be throwing derogatory statements you way without you having a clue. Now that doesn't seem fair to me.

:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.
You took the words right out of my mouth. I, by no means, am not saying that we should accomodate everybody's language that immigrates to this country. But, if it is easier for them to communicate amongst one another in their native language, then I don't see a problem. Like I said earlier, it's all about how secure a person is if they it offend them. Now take me, I could care less what they are talking to one another about. It's none of my business and if they wanted me to be in their conversation, then they would talk to me, first of all. Then they would talk in a language that I understand. If they are not talking to me, then why should I care what language they are speaking?

A lot of things that english-speaking people do is considered rude, so we all do things that may not be acceptable to others. But that's life and we have to learn to deal with our differences. This country is becoming more and more diverse as we speak. We better start getting used to one another or no one will be happy. Sometimes, we as Americans, unintentionallly, can tend to think that our way is the right way and what others do doesn't make sense. But, that's what causes the tension in the world. Can't well all just accept one another as we are and learn to tolerate each other's differences?

I love your response! Thank you for your open mindness. I'm a Hispanic American, fluent in both English & Spanish. Sometimes though, if I'm around another Latina I revert to my Spanish language. I'm never disrespectful and don't use it to gossip about my non-English speaking co-workers. I don't have time for that crap.

Anyway...I will agree that speaking another language in front of patients with your co-worker is absolutely rude. I was trained that when you are with your patient the focus should be on the care of said patient. Discussing your weekend, class schedules or a movie you watched in any language while caring for your patient is RUDE. So shame on them.

On another note, I lived in Germany for 10 yrs, worked on base and shopped on base. I learned just enough to get by & when I was on the German economy the majority were multilingual & had a good command of the English language. We are the only country that speaks only one language & this will eventually put us behind. We need to open our minds & learn to be multilingual. This world is shrinking at a fast pace.

I say if they are giving report to one another & you're not involved in the patient's care, let them...it may be easier & faster to do so. If you are involved then they should do so in English. If they are with patients, focus on the patient. If they are in the break room...let them be. It's their time.

Peace my friends...Paz mi amigos!

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