Our Interpreted Language
Each language represents culture of the country where it is spoken. It consists of various parts among which is speech, verbal and nonverbal communication, numerals, symbols, gestures, etc.
Language is a very important component of our every day life for it gives us an opportunity not simply receive and forward information, but express our feelings and emotions, make things more interesting by interpreting them differently using various language styles.
We should develop our language for more we know- more possibilities we have. Yet, we must be careful because language itself is a very powerful tool, and if used incorrect - can be a very strong weapon against you.
Clearly, languages reflect the priorities of a culture. Unlike some
other elements of cultures, language permeates all parts of
society. Nations vary dramatically in their tolerance for a variety
of languages. By contrast, language structures our thinking and
opinions. One step to creating better international understanding is
to be conscientious about using language that accurately conveys what
we mean. Language knows no political boundaries. Every place in the
world has its own unique kind of people. Each member of a sub-cultural
deserves respect, since they have their own mix of physical,
intellectual, emotional, and spiritual assets to contribute.
Geographically, language is correct in their area. However, in each
of these locations, individuals have problems with accents, dialect,
and speech rate such as stuttering. Language barrier tend to cause
decline in productivity and frustration amongst the company,
employees, and customers.
Language (Cultural) difference cause barriers in the workplace and it can have a negative effect on the environment at the workplace. Due to growth in diversities in business, companies have to employ different cultures. Companies that fail to accommodate individuals are subject to discrimination lawsuits. Though companies set up different programs in order to combat this problem, cultural diversity continues to grow and issues continue.
As organizations introduce diversity, the culture of the workplace
will change. People make judgments based on what they already know of
their own values and beliefs. When the unknown element is
interjected, it causes confusion, fear, and chaos. This forces people
to question themselves and defend their beliefs. When organizations
increase diversity in the work environment, clashes occur amongst
different cultures. Diversity brings in different perspectives,
different approaches to problem solving, different visions, different
languages, and different expectations. Communications, in
face-to-face exchanges as well as through company newsletters and
training sessions, should be welcoming and should accentuate the
positive effects of employing workers with varying talents and
accomplishments (Developing Diversity Initiatives, 1993).
Organizations change as they become more diverse. Many changes will
cause anger, frustration, and confusion. The introduction of cultural
diversity, which includes different languages, causes organizations to
go through five stages:
Anger - Workers will resist change and expect others to fit their
norms and speak their language.
Passive Regression - People will become withdrawn. There will be
little to no sharing of information, which is very important to be
successful.
Chaos - Groups form and struggle to regain power. This when
discrimination accusations begin to surface.
Reclamation- this where the bridge builders arrive. They bridge the
gaps between the groups. Bridge builders can belong to any group,
respect other positions, and have pride in their own cultural
identities. It is the bridge builders who can act as a link between
the groups
Celebration - This is the celebration of a new diverse culture. It
is understood by everyone, that language and cultural diversity
benefits everyone. The people are not uptight but comfortable and
understanding of each other’s culture. This is the longest and most
difficult stage for the groups to complete.
There are steps that companies can take to prevent civil unrest within
an organization. The following steps can be used to prevent
confrontation and assist in creating a positive and productive
environment:
Purpose - Develop a strong sense of purpose for the employees that
transcend all differences including language. A common purpose will
keep the working together for the common goal. By developing purpose,
the organization is relaying the message that all the different groups
and cultures are on the same team and are all one company.
Tell Stories - Stories help connect the groups. Through stories,
different groups can relate to each other as people. Stories also
give the groups a chance to voice its opinions and concerns.
Self Awareness - Companies should develop self awareness
Within the organization commonly, people are afraid of the unknown.
By developing self-awareness, the organization forces the groups to
face the unknown and to overcome their fears and insecurities.
Training Programs- Companies should implement training programs to
teach the different groups to be culturally aware of one another. The
programs should also include language courses to teach communication
skills.
Organizations are adapting a number of approaches to overcome
language barriers among employees (Journal of Business, 2000).
English is the universal language of business, and it is only one of
several languages spoken in the United States. It is very important
for organizations to create an environment where everyone, despite
language spoken, is considered equal. Companies are offering training
courses and providing translators to make everyone feel comfortable.
As the population becomes more diverse and the traditional societies
are becomes more mobile, companies are faced with cultural and
language issues. It is up to the organization to make sure it is
taking all the necessary steps to ensure that groups and cultures
effectively work together and is productive.
Language does more than simply describe reality; it also serves to
shape the reality of a culture (Colorado Business Communication,
1991). Like other forms of language, nonverbal communication is not
the same in all cultures. It can take many forms such as facial
expressions and visual images to learn nonverbal communication from
people who share our same culture. For instance, people with hearing
loss communicate using sign language that is another way of
communicating. Your signing hand is the hand you write and color with
and your other hand is the helping hand. This technique found @
www.signlanguage.org is informative for nonverbal communication.
Gesture, body posture, direction of attention, eye contact, level of
conversation, and other behaviors are interpreted as signs of
inclusion and exclusion.
However, there are many layers of communicating further. Verbal
language and body language signifies whether the line of interaction
is conveyed and not a form of evasiveness. With the perception that
English is the universal language, it is not always perceived by all
nations or society as a whole. Those of us who do use English do so
in spite of our ambiguity towards it, or perhaps because we can find
in that linguistic struggle a reflection of other struggles taking
place in the real world, struggle between the cultures within
ourselves and the influences at work upon our societies. To conquer
English may be to complete the process of making ourselves free. As
relations grow in the workplace, the social interaction is not the
same. For example, when Spanish-speaking employees interact with
English-speaking employees some issues that formulate are: which
language to speak or when to use an interpreter. In a social setting
it is even harder when greeting and addressing people correctly. Thou
not to provide a definitive answer to language as related to
pronunciation, it is difficult to understand individuals whom speak
English but with an accent. Often, individuals are asked repeatedly
what is being said in order to convey what was said. Bahri (Language,
2003) states ‘Language as communication and as culture are then
products of each other ‘Language carries culture, and culture carries,
particularly through orature and literature, the entire body of values
by which we perceive ourselves and our place in the world’. Language is
thus inseparable from us as community of human beings with a
specific form and character, a specific history, a specific
relationship to the work.
Language is a critical element of culture.
Members of society generally share a common language, which
facilitates day-to-day exchanges with others. There are many ways of
communicating language in the workforce and, it is not the only way to
show a line of interaction to work together but a way of social
interaction. The work force is just one avenue to rectify the
critical success for today’s employer when diversity by today’s
standards is met.
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