Foreign language at the work place

Yes it happens in that way. When we dont understand the language what others are speaking we tend to think that they are speaking something regarding us.In office everybody should speak official language. But I don't think that there is a rule for this. So, people dont bother to speak in their regional language.

It's general paranoia that many people suffer from. Case Study: In a school where about 1/4 of the student population does not speak English as a first language, students were getting chastised not by other students, but by staff members for speaking their native languages, which was typically Spanish or Spanglish. I used to be fluent in several European languages in addition to English. I once wrote on the blackboard some general mumble jumble that I was taught when I was learning Swedish: "I will turn it into a cookie jar." It almost got me kicked out of the class - it was a trade school by the way. Seriously, if I would have said it in English who would have taken any interest in the matter? If people don't hear their name in a sentence, there's little reason to become so apprehensive. For many people who have ESL, it's just easier for them to communicate, and much more effective, in their own native languages. Myself? I haven't met any native Swedish, Norwegian, or Dutch speakers face to face yet. I just take advantage of practicing my new found skill by feeding off of the uneasiness of people thinking that I'm talking about them. Not only do I speak sensibly and jibberish in foreign languages, I'll speak with a variety of accents, typically australian or southern, or use a heap of Euroslang that most Americans are left scratching their heads over. All just to p!ss people off. Cheers!

we have bilingual people in the office too and sometimes they forget that we're around listening to them. i've been with the company for years now and i haven't encountered with this kind of situation. haven't heard people backbiting me. our bosses speaks different language too and sometimes when they're talking to us, they sometimes forget.

I am telugu language speaking person. English is a universal language. We have to thorough in english. In my primary days of speaking english everybody is laughed at me. But i am sincerely trying to speak english, now i am laughing at them. And yes working place is a good room to improve our language skills.

I will feel crazy, if the people talk business with me in their country language that I can not understand at the working place. I will talk with him : can u speak in English

I don't think it is rudeness on the part of foreigners speaking their language. Just don't feel that they are talking about you. Maybe they can better express their feeling when they switch to their own language. When you think that way then they become rude to you. If you wanna know what they are talking about maybe you can ask them in a gentle way.

It makes us feel like we are being talked about. I agree on that one. I always figured I felt that way because people did look at me and laugh and giggle when I was younger, even in high school. So I figured it must be a personal problem. I have been in a workplace where we did have three people who spoke a language other than English, and we provided day services to the adult mentally retarded. Well the clients even noticed, some of them, and felt that it was wrong.

Hi,i think maybe they are talking their own languages because of other reasons. You know, of course in multinational companies, the public used language is english, and every employees know more or less english,so they can commnunicate with other people from other countries. But that is not mean all of the employees are know very well about english. I mean they may know the basic working english, but not know some slangs. You know, china is a very large country. So there are so many dialects in each province. And even in one province, people from different parts of the province can speak differently. So when two people from the same place met, they will speak their dialect. First, they feel more close when they use their own "language". Secondly, they can feel more free when they can say their" mother tongue". That is only my opinion.

Hi missybear, we also have clients on floor however when they are around i converse only English. however when we have joke we can only enjoy in our native language. Fine but they might feel that we are joking on them. but its not true.. If you feel that ignore it also you might be wrong. When i was at Gujarat and they used to talk in their native language however i started ignoring them and i cant spoil my mood because of them. So enjoy my joke in my mind..

You really are on this kick aren't you? I like it though. It's not just work but it's at the stores, nail salons, etc. I think it's really disrespectful. You just know that they're probably talking about you. Maybe we should just stand near them and start talking jibberish too and make them wonder for once.

Hi missy! Again, I am going to agree with! I feel that is is rude and insulting for others to be able to speak another language around others, especially at work! I worked with 3 other woman in a room at a customer service job and they all spoke Spainish, except of course me who could only pick up a few words here and there and it really pissed me off! And they did it all day long and they all could speak English, they just didn't want to!

I understand what you feel you must be feeling conscious and curious as well why your co-workers are talking in their own language and maybe they are indeed talking about you. But sometimes they really don't mean to upset or give negative feelings to other people around them. When people of same country meet they had this strong yearning to talk on their own mother language. But it doesn't meant they want to hurt or insult others they just want to bond together. As long you did nothing wrong to them and you are being nice and friendly to them you can be rest assured that they are not talking about you behind your back.

I have no problem with people speaking other language. I simply respect other cultures and other races. If they feel natural to speak their own language, go ahead. They didn't bother me, and I didn't bother them. It is a free country, people have freedom of speech. That speech doesn't limit to English only right?

In general, I think it is rude and inappropriate to hold conversation in another language while at work, especially when those around you who don't understand it are in earshot. However, I think it is ok to use it occassionally when speaking with another individual if you are having trouble getting your point across in English and you could explain it to the person better in the other language. But to use it freely in place of the "official" language of the workplace I think is inappropriate use. It is also not acceptable to use it to talk about coworkers or workplace subjects in the presence of others. If you can't say it in English for fear of someone hearing, then don't say it at all.

I get slightly annoyed at this I guess. And think that they are talking about me, but I remind myself that most likely they are not. So I just deal with it. Now when you are talking about the people in the nail salon, now that makes me mad. I am purchasing a service from them so they should not be so rude as to talk amongst one another. And then I really think they are discussing me or someone else in the salon.