Languages at work?

Question

I’m not sure if i already asked but i’ll ask again.
I work in a hospital, we take all kinds, i work specifically in Children’s Hospital.  Not all parents speak English well.  That’s one thing if they want to speak to me in Tagalog or French but if a co worker decides they want to talk to me in Tagalog, two things i do is answer only in English and tell them to stop.  
First thing they think is “Who is he to tell me...” and “He thinks he’s better than us because he’s speaking English to us.”
In Canada French and English are the national languages so no problem there but what would you do if you spoke three or four languages and people you work with start talking to you in a language that isn’t English at work?

Sam · Answer

Looks like you are in a good profession/vocation, you care about the feelings of others (others around who don't understand the language feel uncomfortable). 
You are being thoughtful where the person wanting to converse with a language others don't speak, is thoughtless.  
If you are alone with co-worker, it's another story, or if others are around and you're trying to help someone who only speaks Tagalog well, like a patient or their family.

Anonymous · Answer

I would agree with your co-workers that you think you are better than them, and that you should speak with them in the language they prefer. As a bilingual teacher, I often conversed with my colleagues in Spanish in the teachers' lounge, but usually in English in the rest of the school. When you come across as arrogant in a work situation, you impair the need for coordinated teamwork that the medical professions require.

bluebellbkk · Answer

I would answer in whatever language they would understand best. A hospital, where it's ESSENTIAL to give precise medical information and instructions, is not the place to flaunt your linguistic prejudices.

Languages at work?

3 Answers