Dealing with the language barrier for worker safety and health

Strike up a conversation with someone from another country. "Do you speak English?" you say.

The person grins and nods. "Yes."

You continue talking but within a few minutes you're shaking your head. You haven't understood one word the person was saying.

This is a common problem when dealing with people who have over-rated their language skills or grew up in another country while learning English. Lack of understanding "foreign" English also occurs when speaking with people from countries like India where English has been the predominant language for many decades. Over time the original pronunciation and word patterns change until it is almost impossible to understand what the speaker is saying.

If you have workers who speak English fluently but with such a heavy accent that understanding them presents a challenge, you might consider accent correction training or tapes. Or refer them to speech therapists or language classes.

Don't insist on having them try to mimic American-style English to the final degree. Most people find accents charming. The toal is not to eliminate all accents but to correct them just enough so that the speaker can be clearly understood.

Some tips for using English with non-English speakers

Don't use examples from sports. Most sports we enjoy in the U.S. are not played in other countries or, if they are, the vocabulary and rules aren't the same. "Football" in other countries is called "soccer" here. Baseball in Japan is played on a smaller field, and the noise of an American baseball stadium is nothing compared with the cheering and shouting at a game in Japan.

Avoid complex verb usage. Stick to simple future, present, past and "progressive" verbs. Try not to use complicate structure such as "If you'd told me when you saw me the last time I taught this class, I would have been able to be of assistance."
Use even harmless slang sparingly.

Classic shortcuts and colorful expressions such as "You betcha," "How ya been?" "I lucked out," or "Watch your backside," are sure to confuse the new English speaker. Another problem is that slang and colloquial expressions change rapidly in our culture. Using plain English has a much better chance of being understood.

Don't exaggerate words or speak loudly to the non-English speaker. When you slow down and speak each syllable in an exaggerated way, you are patronizing the listener. Your message is, "You don't understand me, so I'm talking to you like this." Just repeat what you need to say in a normal voice. Change the words and the word order slightly. Keep your sentences short but natural.

Use familiar words. You might make an exception for words of a Latin origin when you're talking with someone who speaks Spanish or Italian, but most of your words should be short and simple.

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THINKING POINTS

Learning English for the workplace not the neighborhood is a priority in new language programs. Seattle P-I.

The hotel and restaurant union (HERE) has received federal grant money to provide English and other training to Hispanic and other immigrant hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J. DOL.

Safety-related challenges that arise from language and culture differences are discussed by the Hispanic Worker Safety Task Force.