I have been passed over MANY times based soley on this factor. What frustates me is that 99% of peope who are bi-lingual were raised in that environment. If I am to be bi-lingual, I must take classes to learn another language. Just doesn't seem right.
For the record, I am not talking about jobs directly related to language (like an interpreter) where it is general knowledge one must speak 2 languages.
2006-10-03 21:06:05 · 6 answers · asked by kgs 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Ok, let me add that there are interpretation resources readily availableI so it is not like the job could not be done if one is NOT bi-lingual. Also, bi-lingual or Spanish speaking is almost aways listed as a "preferred" but not mandatory qualification.
2006-10-03 21:21:21 · update #1
Nothing we can do about it unfortunately... just sucks!
2006-10-03 21:31:07 · answer #1 · answered by Smart Kitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the job requires you to be bilingual I see nothing wrong with turning down applicants who are monolingual. You aren't qualified for the job if you're missing one of the required qualifications, it's that simple. They may need you to be able to communicate in another language and are not ready to hire an interpreter every time another language is required.
This is not discrimination. People who grow up being bilingual are privileged because they don't have to put as much effort into learning the language later on in life, but it doesn't mean it's "not right" that others need to study another language if they want a job that requires it. It's just the way life goes. If you want a job that requires extra languages, study. You won't get everything handed to you on a plate in life, you have to work towards achievements.
2006-10-04 05:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by undir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you want to work at a job that requires you to be bi-lingual. It's not discrimination, you don't have the required qualifications needed for the job. I don't know what kind of job it is but let's say it's for County Human Resources or Court where a lot of people who walk through those doors aren't going to speak our language. How would you know what they want or are asking for? Do you expect an interperter to be there at all times? I would think it would be difficult to have to work around not understanding someone's language. I'd get a different job or take the classes.
2006-10-04 04:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by homey_girl11 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it depends on the environment where you'll be working. If you're working at a McDonald's where half the customers speak only Spanish and the other half speak only English, it's vitally important that the cashiers be able to speak both languages.
But if you're working at McDonald's in some small town where everyone speaks English...then yeah, passing you over for not being bilingual is a problem.
OK, so that's a gross exaggeration...but you get the idea.
2006-10-04 04:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by rabidbaby 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely! I mean come on, we are in America. The national language here is English(duh) Can't people from other countries(particularly Mexico) get that if you are going to live and work in another country that you should at least know how to speak their language. Its kind of backwards that you have to cater to foriegn peoples in your own country when it comes to your jobs.
2006-10-04 04:10:16 · answer #5 · answered by joshooog 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends - if the job requires you to go outside the country a lot, say, to France, and you don't know French, then no, you're not being discriminated against, you're just not qualified.
2006-10-04 04:25:27 · answer #6 · answered by DeadLastinBetterptsoftheUniverse 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋