Speaking native languages at work...

[NMAguiar]

A Sacramento hospital this week passed around a questionare to its nurses. Here is the question...

Diversity Council Needs You!

To give us input on the question of staff members using their native language(s) at work. We value your opinion. This survey will remain anomymous. Please respond and explain in full if possible.

...following was several blank lines to explain, essay type, how you felt about the issue.

In case you're wondering, here is my response:

________________

I was always taught that whispering in public was rude. It makes others around uncomfortable as to what is being discussed and is exclusive-not inclusive-- to others.

Speaking in a foreign language within earshot of patients, guests or co-workers who don't understand the dialect is the same as whispering. It alienates others and by its nature says "I'm speaking about something I don't want to share with you."

In our hospital's very diverse environment, we all need to be especially sensitive to the cultures and backgrounds of others. No matter which of the dozens of languages spoken at (our hospital) we may understand, professionalism requires we adhere to the language we all speak fluently-- the one we used during our license exams and that all hospital

documents are written in.

Thank-you for asking!

_________________

Should be good fodder for discussion here.

:roll

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

"What are nurses' opinions re"......

We all gave input. This is good. We may have differing opinions, this, too, is good. No harm done ! For the most part, I can agree with the points you are making, and for the ones I choose to see differently, so be it. Doesn't make me a bad person, right? It's not a matter of "I'm right and you're wrong".. we are merely offering input, different perspectives, little crumbs for thought. I respect and appreciate everyone's input whether I agree with it or not. Noone has to be "right" or "win". We learn from each other. :) That's why I enjoy the BB. Guess I felt like I was being flamed, broiled, (to a crisp) then chewed up and spit out by some... but this happens when your opinions differ sometimes... the risk you take when opening your mouth. But if everyone just shut up and there was no dialogue.. how sad would THAT be?

I'm not offended by opinions or beliefs.. I'm offended by how people might choose to ACT on those beliefs. Big difference.

We kool, then?

[globalRN]

Originally posted by jnette

"What are nurses' opinions re"......

Guess I felt like I was being flamed, broiled, (to a crisp) then chewed up and spit out by some... but this happens when your opinions differ sometimes... the risk you take when opening your mouth. But if everyone just shut up and there was no dialogue.. how sad would THAT be?

I'm not offended by opinions or beliefs.. I'm offended by how people might choose to ACT on those beliefs. Big difference.

We kool, then?

===========================================

jnette, I have enjoyed reading your considered and thoughtful posts. No roasting from my corner, just toasting you for your articulate posts!!

[semstr]

Ok, nannnurse, i think it is great that you are able to leave your personal life at the door of the hospital after all youVe been through.

I know I couldn't, and I know others couldn't either.

But as you stated, you think and feel like you do, me like I do and these women like they do.

So? More talking and trying is the only solution, I guess.

take care, Renee

PS: I don't take offense about someone's opinion, and I am certain that you are a compessianate nurse!!

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by jnette

Sorry, Guys. Still friends?

Never weren't! I enjoy anyone who has the ability to debate and stand their ground. You've done this and a enjoy your posts....Even when I disagree.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Howdy yall

from deep in the heart of texas

Wowsa, reading all this has given me a headache and a lot to think about. I never minded a bit if people spoke different languages within earshot. I just assumed I wasnt meant to hear it and it didnt pertain to me anyway. and if it did and I didnt know it, then it couldnt hurt me anyway. Maybe Im just to simplistic. If speaking in a different language meets some basic need of theirs, then who am I to fuss about it. My second language is american sign language.And I love using it at work and in public.

doo wah ditty

[mbg]

im a filipino nurse and i agree that in the workplace english must be used at all time speacially infront of your english speaking co workers or english speaking patients. Hospitals must have a policy for that ,though you can speak your languge with someone when nobody besides you who doesn't feel comfortable .

[LydiaGreen]

When it comes to people speaking in another language; sometimes people can think that noone will understand them except for the person that they are speaking to. I was with my mother and baby sister in a restaurant when I was a teenager. My mother went into the bathroom while I carried my sister to a table and put her in a highchair. Two women at the next table were talking away in what I recognized as German (my mother's family is Mennonite, but I do not speak a word and understand only a few). When my mother returned to the table, I could tell that she was listening to their conversation. She got very red in the face and angry and spun around... she fired off about a dozen sentences at them in German, their faces blanched and they were suddenly apologizing to me in English. After they left my mother explained that they thought that I was my baby sister's mother and were going on and on about how disgusting it was that someone my age was sexually active, etc, etc.

So, even if you are able to speak in another language to your co-workers, it does not mean that you will not be understood by others around you.

My instructor has also taught us that medical terminology is a language unto itself and that most people do not understand it. We were taught to speak in layman's terms whenever in the presence of any patient.

[gypsyatheart]

Originally posted by jnette

Thank You, RNinICU ! You stated better than I did EXACTLY what I was attempting to get across ! I agree wholeheartedly with every word.

And Heather... about the two discussing amongst themselves in Spanish.... so WHAT !!?? I don't GET it ! This was THEIR own PERSONAL conversation between themselves ! They weren't speaking TO her, nor to YOU.. they were speaking to each OTHER.

Who are we to dictate that everyone must speak the language WE understand at ALL times ! This does NOT fit in with what we as Americans always like to portray to the rest of the world... how wonderful and democratic we are ! To me it reeks of something else. Sometimes people WANT to have a conversation between THEMSELVES... is that so wrong? If you were in China with an American colleague and saw something that grabbed your attention, you were on that elevator, with your friend and wanted to share something personal with her, are you saying you wouldn't have just automatically conveyed your thoughts/opinion to your pal in English? If for no other reason than BECAUSE it WAS a personal thought.. not something you wanted to offend anyone else by, by hearing it? Do we not do the same.. only without a foreign language.. when we talk about something/somebody out of earshot ? C' mon! Lets be HONEST here!

I sometimes feel that the reason we are so bothered by this is because our country has only recently (in relative terms) seen such an influx of foreigners and we are not yet used to hearing all these languages we don't understand... it just "feels wrong" and it bugs us. Heck, I've seen many an American in Europe who was "OFFENDED" because "THEY" (the Germans, French, Italiens.. whoEVER) did not speak "OUR" language ! GEEEEEEEEEEESH !!!! It even bugs us when we're in THEIR country ! Perhaps in time as we grow accustomed to hearing more languages around us, we'll stop being so paranoid, feeling "left out", etc. I know we think we've been exposed to hearing these foreign languages for a "long" time... to us it may SEEM like a long time, but it's really NOT. We're simply not used to the idea of being surrounded by different cultures and languages yet. In time, this, too shall pass. My point is this.. why are foreigners not offended when they are surrounded by other foreign languages? Because they are USED to hearing numerous languages around them at all times! They've been exposed to this for hundreds and hundreds of years. We in America have been isolated and are only now being exposed. It's a new phenomina.

Don't sweat it. Most people who are speaking their mother tongue with friends/colleagues are NOT speaking about US.

And even if they were... who's to say your "friend" down the hall is speaking about you to HER friend back in the locker room ?

Geez. Let's get over it. I'm comfortable enough with who I am to not let such trivia get under my skin.

RN in ICU said it exactly right, so did Psychnurse. It would be a sad day indeed in this great country of ours to start dictating what language one is allowed to speak and when. What's next? My THOUGHTS?

OK, I haven't read through ALL of these pages yet, but, HELLO, if you re-read the post she states that the 2 women in the elevator speaking in Spanish were speaking ABOUT THE PT.!!!! What if the pt herself understood Spanish, how insulting to be being discharged w/your newborn only to have a couple of Spanish spkng housekeepers speculate as to whom the father of your baby is!!??!! HOW RUDE, inappropriate and certainly not professional! I would be pi**edif I were that pt and heard that discussion, involving MYSELF!

If they had been discussing the weather, tonights dinner, a movie, whatever, who cares, but to blatantly discuss another person, in their presence in a different language...come on!!! There is NO excuse for this! LOW CLASS!

:(

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

This horse was beat to death.... a LONG time ago. If you'll read on, you'll note that I digressed.. I conceded that in the case of the two housekeepers, as they WERE hospital staff, yes, they should have used more common sense to not speak about a patient in their presence... in ANY language... as employees of the hospital.

That said, I still think we are too paranoid and have real problems/insecurities with what others ppl "say about us".

Only here have I found this to be such a major concern... anywhere else this is a non-issue.

[gypsyatheart]

Originally posted by semstr

ok, Nannanurse I believe it when you say you tried and tried.

But don't forget these young women come from a very different background and culture. "Hurry up", "quick" or "stat" are words not very often used (and then with a different timing) in mediterean and balkanese Europe.

Then as seeing the USA as their new homeland........do they see it like that? Or do they, as refugees I guess, believe they will be going home after a few years. That would make a big difference too.

Hey, I know it is not easy to work with people with differences in their working ethics, but I don't think this is something just found in foreign nurses, housekeepers etc.

Take care, Renee

So you're saying that because these women come from a different cultural/ethnic background, they should be given special treatment? I mean, initially, yeah, take the time to educate them, after that, I'm sorry, there is no excuse for their behavior. I mean a LOT of people, American born, as well, have sufferred trauma or poverty growing up, many people have endured abuse and rape....so that's an excuse for not being appreciative and doing your best when offerred an opportunity to be out of that situation???

I know I would try with every ounce of my being to be productive and do the job I am BEING PAID to do!!!! JMHO

[gypsyatheart]

Originally posted by jnette

This horse was beat to death.... a LONG time ago. If you'll read on, you'll note that I digressed.. I conceded that in the case of the two housekeepers, as they WERE hospital staff, yes, they should have used more common sense to not speak about a patient in their presence... in ANY language... as employees of the hospital.

That said, I still think we are too paranoid and have real problems/insecurities with what others ppl "say about us".

Only here have I found this to be such a major concern... anywhere else this is a non-issue.

LOL! :chuckle I didn't even notice the date on the majority of these posts! You're right, this was a long time ago, I guess someone saw this post and brought it up to date...I hadn't seen it before. Not trying to "beat a dead horse". I finally made it to the last page...interesting reading, though...

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]