Do you think it is impolite of people to speak another language in front of you?

Question

I work with three Indians who occasionally converse in their native tongue in front of me and other colleagues, when English is the official language in Australia.

Do you think it is impolite?

Thanks

Answer 1

At work, no one should speak a language other than one which all their colleagues and clients/customers present at the time can understand. I work in the UK. I often find colleauges speaking to one another in languages other than English, whilst in the company of service-users and/or colleagues who do not speak that language. I ALWAYS remind them to speak English.

Answer 2

I feel it's impolite in certain situations. If you are in an office or other close quarters situation, then it's impolite. It sends the message that those people are keeping something from the rest of the room. I'm not saying it's okay to eavesdrop on other's conversations, but it's very uncomfortable to stand next to a group of people who are speaking a foreign language. At least if the conversation is in the language you speak, it is easier for you to ignore. Think about how many people you ignore, intentionally or not, throughout the day, because you hear one or two words they say and you decide you aren't interested or it's none of your business. When they speak in a foreign language, you lose that choice. It's a risky choice for the foreign language speakers too: they may say something inappropriate and not know that others around them can actually understand them.

It's also very impolite to expect sales associates to stand there while the group has a conversation in a different language. The associate is paid to assist you, not stand there while you make fun of them (yes, I've been in this situation, and the other people didn't know I could understand what they were saying).

Answer 3

No I don't think it is impolite. Its a hard situation no doubt. I have been there and it is a bit frustrating because the curious side of the human nature makes you want to know what they are saying. But the thing is when you are dealing with foreign decent and people that learned their native language first is that their native language is probably much easier to speak. It comes more naturally. I am sure that in most cases it is not meant as a form of disrespect. It is simply an act of comfort for them personally. I can see your frustration with it however. It is hard.

Answer 4

Well, here's the thing. They probably don't realize they're speaking in their native tongue because they speak it so often. But, I do somewhat agree with u on the fact that they should realize that Australia IS an English speaking country, and they should try to speak the native tongue of the country, and not just their own country, (if that makes any sense.) If they continue to talk frequently in their native tongue, just remind them politely that u would like them to speak English so that u and ur colleagues can understand what angle they are coming from. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 5

It depends. If they're doing it to exclude other people in the room, or if their conversation is especially distracting, then it's impolite.

But if they're using their own language because they know it better than English and it's more comfortable for them to work together that way, then it's hard to hold that against them. If you were in Bangalore and had a few Australian coworkers, don't tell me you'd never speak English to them.

In your shoes, I guess I'd find it rude if they were having a purely social conversation, but if they were getting something done in the office, I wouldn't mind. In any case, you say it only happens occasionally, so is it really a big deal?

Answer 6

This is very rude! They must know that it makes you uncomfortable so doing so means that they want to exclude you from joining the conversation & they don't want you to know what they saying. You can't help but think that they are speaking about you or someone you know. If English is the official language then ask your supervisor to tell them to speak only in English while on the job. If that won't do it, take it higher. One should not be put in such an ackward position.

Answer 7

Yes very impolite. Happens all the time here in Oregon. With the Mexican's here and they speak Spanish and the Official Language is English not Spanish.

Answer 8

i think whether it is impolite or not, it is something we have all been faced with,and it is certainly annoying to say the least, but to do something about it, call in an expert on what office or work place rules are, i can't spell eti===
yeah, talking in another language, really takes the cake, and leaves people in a quandry, although sometimes the people could be saying something in benifit of the person they are either talking about or whatever the situation, but on the whole, it could probably be considered rude, putting people on the defensive perhaps or making people feel uneasy , okay i said enough, hope the situation eases for you

Answer 9

I think it depends on the situation. If a bunch of coworkers and the Indians are having a group discussion, and they suddenly start speaking their native tongue, that is rude. But if everyone is doing their own thing and one just strikes up conversation with his fellow Indian then it isn't really all that different from you talking to your friend or the guy next to you.

Answer 10

Yes it is very impolite, when you are in a country that has a national language, then You should have the courtesy to speak it. If they are in a English speaking country, They should speak English unless there in private , by them selves.