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what's your take on employers banning the use of languages other than English between coworkers at the workplace? (linux.community)

submitted 1 month ago by vestmoria@linux.community to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

93 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/3497784

Example: several of my former coworkers are from Mexico, Peru and Argentina, meaning they share Spanish as a common language.

I used to practice Spanish with them, but my last charge (like a ward's manager) would yell at us to stop it, use English only. She would get very angry really fast if she heard anything in a language she didn't understand.

I find it stupid, because some of them would use Spanish to better explain to the new nurses how to do certain procedures, but maybe I'm missing something?

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[–] hellinkilla@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago

I wasn't directly involved in these situations but I have heard 2 different close secondhand stories where non English was banned. because to the ears of English - speaking people it sounded like the non English were using slurs or talking about certain English speakers in a way that would be considered inappropriate.

In both cases the complaints were made by black people. I think there can be complexity here

in a lot of languages the normal word for black sounds like the n-word in English. It really sticks out even if some is saying "can you pass me the black marker" or other innocent and non hostile comment
in a lot of languages there are using words that do in fact have racist overtones in that language. But the specific speakers in question may not care, may be racist, or may have insufficiently interrogated their use.
Or frankly the sense that racialized people were being talked about covertly could have been correct.
When it's people just complaining that they can't what conversations are happening around them (that they are not involved in) or white people feeling that they are being persecuted I have very little sympathy.

Even in a complex situation the banning of languages is unlikely the correct choice. Ideally workers could have a conversation to decide on etiquette.