I am curious how many facilities have an "English Only" rule, and how/whether it is enforced.
I work at a SNF in which the vast majority of the employees are from the Philippines. Although we have an "English Only" rule, it seems that they have no interest in abiding by it, although all are fluent in English. Since I am one of only two white employees, I guess there isn't much I can do about it. It does bother me, though, when we are on our lunch break, and all of them are speaking their own language and I am the only one who does not understand the conversation!
I am curious if others have the same situation where they work, and if so, how they deal with it. Thanks.
Apparently, speaking a language you're comfortable with (ON BREAK, I think we can all agree that an English only rule on the floor is the professional/ethical way to go when not on break) is like pain, totally subjective. I continue to be surprised at the posters who think it's exclusive for ppl to speak anything but English on break/think it's that minority's right to speak English only for the benefit of an even smaller minority (those that only speak English vs the non-English speakers).
It really isn't rude for ppl on break to speak a language you don't, IMO. It really isn't meant to exclude you, again, IMO. If you feel that it does exclude you/is rude, that's your whoop to feel so. Again, like pain, it's totally subjective. Keep in mind, however, that you're free at any time during all that foreign talk on break to jump in and ask them to give you a translation. Just like your patient is pain is free at any time to ask you to give them something to relieve the pain.
Does anybody besides me remember learning somewhere in nursing school that nobody else can make you feel something, that you own your own feelings? For example, it's not ok to say you make me feel excluded but we should say I feel excluded because I don't understand what you're saying... ... ? Those ppl speaking a language you don't understand on break aren't trying to exclude you, you just feel excluded because you're the minority at the mo'. Can you not find something else to do with your break time than sit there and feel excluded?
My point here is if you feel excluded, it's YOUR whoop/insecurity. If you say I feel left out because you're speaking a language I don't understand vs I feel left out because I assume you're talking about me without knowing for sure... you have a bigger problem than not knowing some second language (which btw, isn't a guarantee they won't be talking about you, it's simply a guarantee they'll be more careful to gossip about you if they suspect you can understand).
Sorry. This is a poorly written post. I'm tired, my guard is down, and some of the posts I'm reading on this thread make me want to eat a huge honking doughnut regardless of the consequences.
One problem for monolingual Americans is that they aren't used to the concept and practice of multilingualism. The expanse of the US is so broad that one can travel thousands of miles and still be able to read billboards and understand local TV. English-only speakers take it for granted that they will always be in their linguistic comfort zone.
In most other nations, this situation is much more fluid and less well defined. Language and ethnic groups overlap and some accommodation is required for daily communication. If everyone tries to be flexible and understanding, it can all work out. Conflict arises if those involved are more emotional than practical.
Monolinguals need to understand it's taxing work trying to function at a high professional level in a second or third language. When I'm overseas, by the end of the day, my second language skills are flagging and I'm just mentally worn out. It's completely understandable that people will want to communicate with the least amount of struggle--in their first language, the speech patterns that come to them easily and naturally.
I would reject the response that speaking a foreign language in earshot of non-speakers is like farting in an elevator. The analogy assumes that monolinguals have a "right" to pristine air, space free of words they don't understand. It overlooks the fact that language is about communication, a necessarily public event. Flatulence relief, on the other hand, is seldom so urgent that it needs immediate attention in a closed workspace and is, therefore, more appropriately carried out in private.
Monolinguals need to reconsider the misconception they have proprietary control over the airwaves. Instead I would beseech a little sensitivity regarding non-native English speakers' need for personal comfort and accurate communication when in the presence of their linguistic peers. When I walk into a conversation as the only "gringo" in the group, my Chinese, Brazilian, Korean, Colombian, or Japanese friends will code-switch over to English, even though it lowers the quality and fluency of the discussion. If the conversation is in Spanish or Portuguese I may urge them to revert to their first language and then limp along with my limited understanding rather than impede an energetic interchange.
The previous comments on "rudeness" need to understand that courtesy goes both ways. I would advocate the following to those writers:
* finding some empathy for those trying to communicate in their Tagalog
* not assuming they are the ones being talked about in Hindi
* trusting they can break into the Spanish conversation with a polite, "Excuse me, do you know what's going on with Mrs. Infirmity in room 16?" or "Hi. What are you guys talking about?"
* working with the confidence that they belong on the workteam as an equal member without the judgments, insecurities, or attitudes which preclude effective collegiality
Ultimately, we all want to feel like we belong. Since this is an HR issue, I would strongly advise that nursing staff request intercultural communication training so that everyone feels acknowledged, comfortable, and welcome in their work environment.
at this point i dont think its about personal feelings or attitudes.
basically i think the situation is out of hand. sure its ok for an expat to talk to another in their own language. i do it all the time, i know what it feels like to connect with someone from your homeland.
but the excessiveness and lack of professionalism makes for a sometimes hostile work environment i.e giving report, talking about patients and communicating other work related issues in other languages.
as a first generation american i say keep your families values and culture. but when it comes to work, be professional, socialize its appropiate or when time permits and be mindful that its about the patients and all the duties and responsibilites that come with that job. and one of them is communication. and since we live in america, were the majority speaks english, then so should you.
being raised in nyc was great, i have friends from all continents and i am culturally aware of more situations that potentially could hinder my delivery of care. its nice to have people who can communicate with your farsi, korean or hindi pt.
i dont think that my ears should be free of "language pollution" i think its great that we can share our different cultures. but, like i said earlier when it comes to work lets be professional. and yes, due to the great amount of nurses that are from different cultures we should be sensitive to their needs as well. however what it seems like to me is that sometimes they expect us to get used to them and not try to become part of their new environment. assimilation to a different culture doesnt mean losing yours.
I lived with my DH in a foreign country for a while. While we both spoke the language adequately, it was honestly a bit of a struggle to express yourself completely. I rarely spoke anything but English to DH; it seemed completely silly to struggle through the intricacies of the foreign language when we both spoke English natively and perfectly (well, as perfect as I'm gonna get coming from a backwards town in the midwest....). If I saw him at work, we spoke English.
Yes I was there to learn the language; and yes, when I was not having a private conversation with a native English speaker, I made every attempt to speak German. Most of my coworkers and friends did not speak English--they mainly spoke German, German dialects, and eastern European languages. But especially private conversations with other native English speakers--why would I bumble through my imperfect German when I could express myself easily and correctly in English?
Now I speak German at home when I want to exclude someone from the conversation--like talking about Christmas shopping, or some sort of surprise with the kids. I speak German at work with the few old ladies who occasionally come in and can't or won't speak English. I also speak German when I am calling home and want to discuss something private--gripe about work, or say something mushy on the phone to DH, that sort of thing. My German became strong enough that there are now some things that I can actually express more accurately in German--not much, but certain German phrases lend themselves to some situations so much better than English--and I'll use them in an otherwise English conversation with DH. If it's a private conversation, I don't give a ***** whose feelings might get hurt--it's none of their business. Speaking German is actually a nice way to keep the conversation private and intimate. If it is a "public" conversation and I use a German phrase, I would translate it as best I could.
There is one phrase here in your post that goes right to the crux of the matter "I speak German (at home) when I want to exclude someone from the conversation". Yes I know you said at home, but the point is the language is used to exclude, not include. The feeling your coworkers get if you( generic you here) do this at work is that you want to exclude them deliberately. And you may want to be careful using any language in public to say things you don't want shared - as you can see from other posts, the least likely person may understand it!
Ultimately, we all want to feel like we belong. Since this is an HR issue, I would strongly advise that nursing staff request intercultural communication training so that everyone feels acknowledged, comfortable, and welcome in their work environment.
Good post with excellent posts.
Good diea about the communication training. But it also should work both ways. An American, working for an American institution shouldn't feel uncomfortable in her job in her own country.
I know this sometimes can't always the case. For example working in China town, or Little Havanna, or places like that, one would expect the feeling of "being in a foreign country".
There is one phrase here in your post that goes right to the crux of the matter "I speak German (at home) when I want to exclude someone from the conversation". Yes I know you said at home, but the point is the language is used to exclude, not include. The feeling your coworkers get if you( generic you here) do this at work is that you want to exclude them deliberately. And you may want to be careful using any language in public to say things you don't want shared - as you can see from other posts, the least likely person may understand it!
Did you read the rest of my post about the reasons for speaking my native language when not in an English speaking environment?
And thanks for the advice; being that I speak German and understand enough Spanish, Dutch, Swedish and Russian to know what's being discussed, but live in a community where the majority speak English, I am well aware of the "dangers" of speaking a language while assuming that others cannot understand; I've been on the receiving end of that (as in, people discussing me when unaware of my ability to understand). No harm done. I usually just address them in the language and enjoy their reaction. Or, if I can't, I pick my nose or do something to REALLY given them a good show. It's all good.
It's backfiring at home, though. The kids continue to pick up more and more German. Which is a probably good thing, but not around Christmas time. Luckily the dh and I have discovered that texting one another works well in lieu of the German. It annoys them more, too.
One problem for monolingual Americans is that they aren't used to the concept and practice of multilingualism. The expanse of the US is so broad that one can travel thousands of miles and still be able to read billboards and understand local TV. English-only speakers take it for granted that they will always be in their linguistic comfort zone.
In most other nations, this situation is much more fluid and less well defined. Language and ethnic groups overlap and some accommodation is required for daily communication. If everyone tries to be flexible and understanding, it can all work out. Conflict arises if those involved are more emotional than practical.
Monolinguals need to understand it's taxing work trying to function at a high professional level in a second or third language. When I'm overseas, by the end of the day, my second language skills are flagging and I'm just mentally worn out. It's completely understandable that people will want to communicate with the least amount of struggle--in their first language, the speech patterns that come to them easily and naturally.
I would reject the response that speaking a foreign language in earshot of non-speakers is like farting in an elevator. The analogy assumes that monolinguals have a "right" to pristine air, space free of words they don't understand. It overlooks the fact that language is about communication, a necessarily public event. Flatulence relief, on the other hand, is seldom so urgent that it needs immediate attention in a closed workspace and is, therefore, more appropriately carried out in private.
Monolinguals need to reconsider the misconception they have proprietary control over the airwaves. Instead I would beseech a little sensitivity regarding non-native English speakers' need for personal comfort and accurate communication when in the presence of their linguistic peers. When I walk into a conversation as the only "gringo" in the group, my Chinese, Brazilian, Korean, Colombian, or Japanese friends will code-switch over to English, even though it lowers the quality and fluency of the discussion. If the conversation is in Spanish or Portuguese I may urge them to revert to their first language and then limp along with my limited understanding rather than impede an energetic interchange.
The previous comments on "rudeness" need to understand that courtesy goes both ways. I would advocate the following to those writers:
* finding some empathy for those trying to communicate in their Tagalog
* not assuming they are the ones being talked about in Hindi
* trusting they can break into the Spanish conversation with a polite, "Excuse me, do you know what's going on with Mrs. Infirmity in room 16?" or "Hi. What are you guys talking about?"
* working with the confidence that they belong on the workteam as an equal member without the judgments, insecurities, or attitudes which preclude effective collegiality
Ultimately, we all want to feel like we belong. Since this is an HR issue, I would strongly advise that nursing staff request intercultural communication training so that everyone feels acknowledged, comfortable, and welcome in their work environment.
I applaud your post but I do have some difficulty accepting that in an English speaking country, people working in health care reverting to their own language when in the company of their countryman and alienating the English speaking collegue.
People are fortunate to be bi-lingual but because a lot of the population aren't should that be treated with contempt. I dont believe in the work environment it is acceptable to speak in a language that one or more of the workers dont understand.
Call me old fashioned but if we choose to live and work in a country who's main language is English, then we should be fluent in that language.
Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
My only moan about colleagues talking in their own language is that,if I'm trying to concentrate and chart it completely blanks out my thought processes!I usually tell them to go and talk where I can't hear them!
IMO, speaking English should be the rule. I think we have too much "political correctness" in this country, when we "Americans" have to bend over backwards to find interpreters for other "Americans" who have lived here 10 or more years and never bothered to learn the English language.
I live in an area where we have a large Italian and Polish immigrants populations, I speak neither. If someone is visiting or new to the States, I have no problems jumping through hoops to find an interpreter, as I would like the same courtesy if I'm ever traveling abroad - however - many, many of these people have lived here for 20 or more years, and never learned English or barely speak English. I find that insulting, that an immigrant can move to this country, raise a family, reap the benefits of this land, and yet expect us to deviate from our norm to accommodate them.
I feel like WE AMERICANS are being discriminated against sometimes.
If you want to speak your native language at home or at social events, feel free, in an American workplace with English being OUR language, out of respect for American Society, that is the language that should be spoken.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i have to say that i agree with those who have said it's rude to exclude someone from a breakroom conversation by conducting it in a language they don't understand. this is the us. we speak english here. (also in the uk, nz and australia from what i understand!) if i were in spain or mexico and didn't speak spanish, i would expect to be excluded from the conversations between employees who didn't speak english. if i were working in the phillipines and got left out of conversations because i didn't understand tagalog, it would be understandable. but come on folks, this is the us. it's rude to exclude our american colleagues from conversations conducted in front of them in your native language.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
if it involves patient care, then i agree that english should be spoken, but if you people are talking about something else outside of patient care then i really could care less what language they spoke.
the op mentions being in the breakroom and not understanding the conversations. flame me if you wish, but i am not obligated to include everyone in the room (or in my immediate surroundings) in my conversation. if i am speaking in a another laguage in a room full of people, it is because what i am talking about is none of their business.
i've never worked on a unit big enough to have a break room than included more than one table. so if there are four nurses around a common table eating lunch and speaking tagolog (or spanish or french or cantonese) and a fifth nurse who doesn't understand that language, it's rude. especially here in the us, where it's understood that english is the common language. i'm amazed that so many of you don't seem to get that. but then, manners seem to be fading from society in the last 20 years or so.
MoopleRN
240 Posts
Apparently, speaking a language you're comfortable with (ON BREAK, I think we can all agree that an English only rule on the floor is the professional/ethical way to go when not on break) is like pain, totally subjective. I continue to be surprised at the posters who think it's exclusive for ppl to speak anything but English on break/think it's that minority's right to speak English only for the benefit of an even smaller minority (those that only speak English vs the non-English speakers).
It really isn't rude for ppl on break to speak a language you don't, IMO. It really isn't meant to exclude you, again, IMO. If you feel that it does exclude you/is rude, that's your whoop to feel so. Again, like pain, it's totally subjective. Keep in mind, however, that you're free at any time during all that foreign talk on break to jump in and ask them to give you a translation. Just like your patient is pain is free at any time to ask you to give them something to relieve the pain.
Does anybody besides me remember learning somewhere in nursing school that nobody else can make you feel something, that you own your own feelings? For example, it's not ok to say you make me feel excluded but we should say I feel excluded because I don't understand what you're saying... ... ? Those ppl speaking a language you don't understand on break aren't trying to exclude you, you just feel excluded because you're the minority at the mo'. Can you not find something else to do with your break time than sit there and feel excluded?
My point here is if you feel excluded, it's YOUR whoop/insecurity. If you say I feel left out because you're speaking a language I don't understand vs I feel left out because I assume you're talking about me without knowing for sure... you have a bigger problem than not knowing some second language (which btw, isn't a guarantee they won't be talking about you, it's simply a guarantee they'll be more careful to gossip about you if they suspect you can understand).
Sorry. This is a poorly written post. I'm tired, my guard is down, and some of the posts I'm reading on this thread make me want to eat a huge honking doughnut regardless of the consequences.