Republicans back bill allowing employers to require English only

[no name 1]

If I wanted to work in Russia I needed to speak Russian. I see nothing wrong with requiring English for work in this country. Frankly, I'm sick of all the bilingual signs everywhere. When I lived in Russia I had to read all the signs in Russian and I accepted that.

have you ever been to italy, germany, france and the numerous other countries that have EVERYTHING written in english? every single airport that i have been to has had signs in english

pshh, what a double standard we have

i dont understand why people here are so bothered by having things written in english as well as another language...how does that truly affect your life? is it harming you in some terrible way? i think that people just need to get over it

Yeah, airports here use all languages too.....

Also, English is understood/spoken by MANY countries, ever think about that?

Edited December 13, 2007 by devilette

[DeadPoolX 9]

I also feel this bill is a good one.

I remember hearing about this guy who's an exterminator (pest control) and on his business card, he has written "no habla espanol" because he doesn't speak Spanish and wanted his customers to know that right off the bat. However, he was sued because Hispanic customers (many of which could speak English) said that the exterminator's business card was "racist and discriminatory" since it practically said "I hate Mexicans."

Let me ask you: How does saying, in their own language, that you do not speak it, suggest that you despise them culturally or as a people? How is it racist or discriminatory? He was merely saying he doesn't speak Spanish and warning his customers. That's all.

Because of this, the exterminator has been ordered to either learn Spanish or hire a translator to accommodate the Spanish-speaking population. God forbid those who speak Spanish might be asked to actually learn English! Oh no... that'd be stomping all over their so-called Constitutional Rights, now wouldn't it?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I don't think it could go that far. I speak to my fiancée in Russian at work on the telephone. They would have to take context into regard.

So as I read this – a person could be fired or receive disciplinary action for speaking a foreign language in the office, regardless of context (for example, talking to a family member over the phone), and regardless of whether it affects their work? Hmmm…

[Nessa 23]

I don't think people should speak only english, after all, the more languages you speak more able to communicate you are. But that you must also speak english then I agree.

I wouldn't like to go places in Brazil where people that work there don't speak portuguese, with some exceptions. Like when I was taking english classes, there were some teachers that spoke no portuguese, but it was an english only school, you were not supposed to speak portuguese to teach people to speak english.

Same should apply here.

[no name 1]

I don't think people should speak only english, after all, the more languages you speak more able to communicate you are. But that you must also speak english then I agree.

I wouldn't like to go places in Brazil where people that work there don't speak portuguese, with some exceptions. Like when I was taking english classes, there were some teachers that spoke no portuguese, but it was an english only school, you were not supposed to speak portuguese to teach people to speak english.

Same should apply here.

My American friend lives in Rome & speaks fluent Italian. Yet at her ESL school there - where she teaches English - they cannot speak Italian.

[Caladan 19]

I don't think it could go that far. I speak to my fiancée in Russian at work on the telephone. They would have to take context into regard.

So as I read this – a person could be fired or receive disciplinary action for speaking a foreign language in the office, regardless of context (for example, talking to a family member over the phone), and regardless of whether it affects their work? Hmmm…

They wouldn't have to, under the new law. Under the old one they would. A sensible employer probably wouldn't care that you spoke to your fiancee in Russian, but there wouldn't be anything you could do if they fired you, given the new law.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think it could go that far. I speak to my fiancée in Russian at work on the telephone. They would have to take context into regard.

So as I read this – a person could be fired or receive disciplinary action for speaking a foreign language in the office, regardless of context (for example, talking to a family member over the phone), and regardless of whether it affects their work? Hmmm…

But what specifically does this new law do that the other didn't? The article suggests that it permits employers to

require English, "under any circumstance they prefer". Not unreasonable to wonder what that means, IMO.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Let them try. How I speak to my fiancée when I'm on a break is my concern.

They wouldn't have to, under the new law. Under the old one they would. A sensible employer probably wouldn't care that you spoke to your fiancee in Russian, but there wouldn't be anything you could do if they fired you, given the new law.

[Caladan 19]

I agree with you. I'm not sure the new law does.

[tmma 467]

If I wanted to work in Russia I needed to speak Russian. I see nothing wrong with requiring English for work in this country. Frankly, I'm sick of all the bilingual signs everywhere. When I lived in Russia I had to read all the signs in Russian and I accepted that.

have you ever been to italy, germany, france and the numerous other countries that have EVERYTHING written in english? every single airport that i have been to has had signs in english

pshh, what a double standard we have

i dont understand why people here are so bothered by having things written in english as well as another language...how does that truly affect your life? is it harming you in some terrible way? i think that people just need to get over it

"EVERYTHING" is NOT written in English in those countries...Of course if the passenger terminal at the airport is the only place you have visited there -then of course there are English signs...because...

During March 2003, "to respond to the increasingly critical need of accurate communication in busy skies", the ICAO elevated English to the "official language of aviation", replacing its earlier recommended-only status on the list of approved languages, which included French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese. This marks a historical first that one language will be "used as a medium for communication in one industry by everyone".

http://jsdiversified.com/AviationEnglish.htm

As an aside, I think that if you are living in or even visiting a country that does not share the same language as you-you should learn the language.

Edited December 13, 2007 by tmma

[mawilson 2,133]

I'd say so. If the employeer is cabable of giving instructions in another language, they can have a broader base to hire from, and possibly get the better employee.

They can still do that. The new law doesn't say that all employers must require that English be spoken,

only if they choose to do so.

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

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Edited December 13, 2007 by babybluesusie

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Well if it does, it will get challenged quickly. I know many folks that call loved ones and speak in their native language at work.

I agree with you. I'm not sure the new law does.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Let them try. How I speak to my fiancée when I'm on a break is my concern.

They wouldn't have to, under the new law. Under the old one they would. A sensible employer probably wouldn't care that you spoke to your fiancee in Russian, but there wouldn't be anything you could do if they fired you, given the new law.

Agreed brother Kazan . Let them try and tell me what language(s) I can speak in. I conduct business in English just like the next person; but my multilingual abilities are definitely an asset, not a nuisance AND if they don't like it, they can shove it (in any language they prefer).

I've said it before: being monolingual is nothing to be extremely proud of in a multicultural world like this one.

[Brian & Kathy 0]

This bill is bad, because it would allow an employeer to fire or not hire any employee based on their ability to speak english.

What if your non-english speaking SO came here, and got a job that doesn't require english to perform the job. Maybe they were hired to count beans, and the language doesn't matter, because when you write '10,001' anyone can understand it. Then, this bill is passed, allowing the employeer of your SO to require all employees to speak english in that company.. and your SO is fired, even though they are the best bean counter in the company. Is this right? I say NO! If english is required to perform the job, the employeer can already require english. Allowing employeers to fire or not hire non-english speakers simply because they 'feel like it' is wrong and discrimination.

Edited December 13, 2007 by Brian & Kathy