How Can We Encourage Employees to Embrace English as Our Office Language?

Dear Friends,

Please suggest some ideas on how I can implement English as the official language in our company. Employees are often heard speaking in their mother tongue despite being encouraged to communicate in English. I am seeking innovative ideas to promote and motivate our employees to use English for communication.

Thank you.

Hi Sangeetha,

You can make communication skills a KRA. You can also make a rule that all meetings must be in English only, even small team meetings. You can tell all the team leads/managers about this problem and ask them to help you out. Once they all start talking in English with their team members, the team may also follow.

Rest, I don't think it can be controlled; people will continue talking in their mother tongue to some extent. And I also think that you must not be bothered about it, as long as official communication is in English.

Regards,
Shikha

Hello Sangeetha,

Shikha has made some very practical observations and suggestions. To that, let me add a few thoughts.

Building upon the third point made by Shikha, there must be a top-down approach to tackling the problem. The seniors must be requested to implement an 'English-only at work' policy, and this will then percolate down the line.

If you have a bulletin board, start a small campaign to have interesting posts in English which can be contributed by employees. It can include downloads of interesting forwards or blogs, clippings from newspapers or magazines - with the focus on inspirational/motivational material and/or informational material. To make it more participative and competitive, you can even offer a prize for the best post for the week/fortnight/month.

Depending on the number of employees and the type of industry you are in, there could be other motivational activities like having a book review or book reading session, public speaking sessions, or sharing on a theme in English once a week, to be held department-wise or company-wide.

Often, employees speak in the local language because of peer pressure, where the natives speaking in English are subtly made fun of or sarcastically responded to as being too Anglicized. You would, therefore, have to take a sterner view with management support that 'English' is the medium of communication officially. However, this can be tricky since there are enough 'local language' fanatics in all states who can inject nuisance value into your noble intentions.

I trust these suggestions help you in your quest to encourage your employees to use English more often in their official communication.

Regards,

Jacob

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Hi Sangeet, Just keep one big piggy bank at your office center. Whenever anybody speaks in Non-English, ask them to put one 5 rupee coin in. They need to do this honestly. Initially, the piggy bank might get filled in just a few hours, but as time goes on, the piggy bank will start to be empty.

When you find the piggy bank empty, you will have reached your mission. Use the money you have collected for poor kids' education and food.

Dear Sangeetha,

First, you need to know why you want English as the official language and how it matters if employees are using their mother tongue. After understanding its impact, you may then like to conclude its impact on the organization as a whole.

Understand that people in the organization will follow your instructions better if they find it useful for themselves too. If you just push them to use English as the official language, they probably see it as an "order" and not any value addition to their personality/growth, etc.

Surendra

Hi,

I think during induction, you should also specify that English is the official language, and all communications in the company should be in English.

Regards,
Sara.

Dear,

It is heartening to learn that Indian Corporate Houses are considering compelling their employees to speak English only. No country in the world has made English an official language for conversing with colleagues, not even Britain. When a French person speaks with an Indian or gives a public speech, it is preferred to speak in English as it is an international language. However, when a French person speaks with another French person, they prefer to communicate in French for better understanding. In several European countries, English is not as welcomed. India, having been under British rule for 150 years, has developed a fascination with white skin and the English language, with white skin symbolizing beauty and English symbolizing intellect. It is essential to break free from this slave mentality.

Specifically, individuals educated in English medium schools, especially missionary schools, often have a strong fear of English. Effective communication requires skills such as fearlessness, the ability to articulate well, a magnetic voice, good writing and presentation skills, a charming personality, understanding posture and gestures, and practice. Language should never be a barrier to good communication. Corporate houses should prioritize good communication skills over enforcing a specific language on employees. This is my personal opinion and is independent of your corporate house's policy. I understand that you must adhere to company policies to maintain your job. I am sharing my thoughts with the group members, knowing that not everyone may agree but hoping some may reflect on the topic and work towards overcoming the slave mentality imposed by the British.

Thank you.

Blessings,
Sharad

Hi Sangeetha,

English is the universal business language. We need it in the workplace because of the global business scenario. We need a common language in which we can conduct our business effectively, yielding results.

In my point of view, when it comes to business requirements, every associate must speak in English. This need not be made compulsory, as associates are already proficient in it. They can choose to speak in any language they feel comfortable with; there should not be any compulsion.

Please note that as HR professionals, our job is to facilitate employees to work smoothly, not to restrict them unnecessarily.

Regards,
Nishu

Dear Sharad,

It was interesting to read your point of view. I partially agree with your view; therefore, I think that spoken English must not be 'thrust' upon workers for the heck of it.

Now, coming to why we need English...

Since all work is actually in English (our computers have an English keyboard, right? Also, our appointment letters, interviews, official notices, memos, presentations, emails, seminars, etc., are in English), this automatically becomes the undeclared 'official' language.

If you think about it, it's not because of a slave attitude or any such thing, but simply because we are a widely multi-linguistic group of people and hence HAVE TO have a common language so that everyone is on the same platform. Otherwise, we have to be strictly regional, employ people speaking one language only, and use that language freely. Is that practical?

That's why office HRs, administrators, managers face a problem when some people from a team refuse to communicate in English.

Lastly, I beg to disagree with your point that English has become a symbol of intellect in India. We need to come out of this slave mindset. Specifically, the boys and girls who are educated in English medium and that too in missionary schools have a strong English phobia. (By the way, phobia is the wrong word here.) I have seen plenty of individuals who have studied in vernacular medium schools but still speak very good English.

Regards,

Shikha

You should take Europe and the GCC as examples. Employees in the GCC use the Arabic language for conversing in the office, though English may be used in business transactions. Your objective behind enforcing English as the "office hours language" is not clear.

In fact, we have to thank the British for leaving behind a language legacy. Being an erstwhile colony, we have effortlessly caught up with this foreign language. Wherever French, Danish, or Portuguese ruled us (Pondicherry, Goa, etc.), we have automatically learned their lingua franca.

Generally speaking, there shouldn't be hatred towards any language. After all, we are going to learn a new language, not going to consume poison. How many of us are well-versed in regional languages? Not all. Besides the mother tongue, in the current day of globalization, one has to be equipped with at least two foreign languages like English, French, German, or Mandarin.

The entire population that prefers to stay inland for a job can hold on to their mother tongue. Others with overseas dreams shall make a little effort to learn a "videshi" language.

Even after 50 years from now, our people will continue to quarrel over English or Hindi. "Let those who have mouths shout, let those who have ears hear them."

Regards,
Chandru

Hi Sangeeta,

Once Swami Vivekananda was traveling by train. Two foreigners in the same bay were speaking ill about Swami and Indians. At the end of their conversation, Swami replied in English, and those two foreigners were ashamed and apologetic. The same happened in his speech delivered in the USA, which became the gateway to India. You must convince them by sharing these stories that proficiency in the English language is beneficial for employees. It helps to overcome obstacles and gain access to vast knowledge. Proceed in this direction, and your employees will realize your sincerity.

Thank you and regards,
Sreejith Menon
Personnel Manager

Thank you, Sharad, for beautifully rendering what I had in my mind. I am working in an Arab country where the sounds and pronunciations of most Indian languages, especially those of South Indian languages, are supposedly very peculiar and annoying. However, I have never had any problem when I speak with my colleagues of my languages in front of Arabs and Europeans. Unfortunately, I have experienced the intolerance of my Indian colleague of a different language. It is disheartening that we are narrow-minded and do not appreciate other cultures and languages. We are still slaves to English.

Dear Sikhaji,

With love,

I am not against 'English' or any other language. I am against the compulsion of using a particular language, specifically English, in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray is proposing only Marathi language, and one MLA was beaten up because he took an oath in Hindi in the assembly. This is ridiculous, and I am against such compulsion.

I do agree that English is an important and international language that connects people in most parts of the world. It has great significance in higher studies and business. I also endorse the idea that one must learn English.

My concern is making English a compulsory language for communication in corporate offices. I am also highlighting the mindset of Indians, who are impressed by the English language without considering the content. You will agree that many parents get overwhelmed when their child says "WATER" instead of "PANI". This shows our slave mindset, nothing else.

Dear Sikhaji, we are all here from different regions and states of India, and we all communicate in English. There may be some mistakes here and there, but most of us are comfortable communicating with other members. I also write here in English. How can I be against English? My concern is something else. I hope you will understand my views.

Secondly, you mentioned that "Phobia" is not the proper word used in my earlier write-up. Thank you for drawing my attention; you may correct it if you have the right word for it.

His Blessings,

Sharad Shah

I agree with Mr. Sharad Shah's comment. I think putting pressure on employees to speak English is of no use. In front of you, they talk in English; again, in your absence, they talk in their own language. I am also working for a software company. We don't have any restrictions like this. Even at the board meeting or management level meeting, sometimes we talk in Hindi or the local language.

Regards,
N S Anand

Let me clear your confusion and objection first.

I am a 58-year-old, having a happy family with a loving wife, two sons, and both recently married. So do not think of "Love" as something thrown from a young boy to a young girl. When I use the word "Love," it means love extended to the entire humanity, irrespective of gender, caste, region, religion, age, or nationality.

My master taught me to love everyone who comes into my contact, in whatever form they may be. This is my way of saluting the other soul and expressing my love towards every soul. My master used to say, "How bad you are is not my concern, as God has accepted you and qualified you to be born on this planet, so who am I to reject you and not shower love upon you?" Shikhaji, I wish you and all humans to experience "Love," which is not dependent on others but simply a flowering within.

I can understand your difficulty, as the word "Love" is often used to hide "Lust," express "Likings," or pretend and cheat others.

Anyway, if you have any reservations, you may instruct me not to use words like "Dear" or "Love," and I will stop using them. I also convey here to the other members to write to me if they have any objections. Please note that I do not intend to hurt anybody here. I would be happy if I could contribute a little from the experiences of my outer as well as inner journey of this life.

His Blessings,

Sharad Shah

Dear Sharadji,

It has been customary for elders to begin a letter with the words 'Love and blessings'. Of course, this is followed only in non-business letters. There has always been a gap between two generations. LOVE has become a cheap word in the present-day context. It is viewed as if one can love a person only if he/she is related emotionally or genetically.

Haha... GURU, the one whose duty is to clear darkness 'Gu-Ru', is himself pushed to the dark through visual distortion of youngsters. It takes years for them to understand. Sir, your valuable words are sure to have a strong positive impact on our members here. It's true all are longing for it to catch up to keep the journey going. Your words remind me of the message often conveyed by Mother Teresa.

Regards,

Chandru

Language , Communication, Mannerisms A Middle Path

After going thru the posts on this thread and understanding different views, I would like to share my views:

• We have all accepted English as a language of Written Business Communication, though oral business communication does happens in different languages and it will continue to happen.
• Our oral communication tends to be in a language we are most comfortable in. We need not insist that oral communication also has to be in English only.
• Unlike other countries, locally we speak many languages and this diversity of languages does create communication problems.
• Language is medium of communication and one tends to use the language in which one is most comfortable, often ignoring the fact that, whether other person is also as comfortable in that particular language or not.
• But when we are communicating in any of vernacular language we need to make sure that, all the parties in communication are able to fully understand that particular language. Otherwise switch to a language known to all participants.
• Seniors or Managers conducting meeting first need to understand the importance of using commonly understood language in communication and also need to discipline their juniors to follow the same principal.
• Seniors also need to understand that speaking in a language not known to all in a group is bad manners. There are meetings within meeting happening in different linguistic groups often leading to miscommunication and atmosphere of mistrust.
• To conclude: Make it known to all employees that communicating in a language not known to everybody in a group is Bad Mannerism and employer can always train and discipline it's employees to follow good manners and good business practices.
• At the same time there need not be insistence on usage of English alone. Any commonly known language should be acceptable.

Thanks & Regards

I do not think anyone can enlighten the spirit of a person like you. I hate this kind of attitude. God bless you.

It doesn't matter what attitude you hate or like. None of my business. We are here to share knowledge, not to make personal comments.

Dear Vcalathif,

I never knew that conveying "Love" to someone would also spread hatred. I request all the members to cut the matter here only. I promise not to use the word again if people are offended so much.

Dear friend, remember we all are diseased, whether we know it or not. And we need to support each other to come out of his/her disease, rather than putting and pushing a hot finger on his/her painful part. Also, remember that every soul is a fragment of the divine, and we need to learn to respect and love each other's soul.

I wish this forum becomes a model or lighthouse for others to follow. Because most of the members of this forum are young, energetic, knowledgeable, and most importantly, they are ready to help other junior members and share their professional knowledge or information with others. I wish there should not remain any space for hatred, and that's why I used the word "Love" so that along with our brain, our hearts also get connected.

One more thing I would like to clarify to the members that I am not here to teach you any spirituality, as I am not capable of it at all. Many times I found myself in the first standard on the way to the inner journey, what you call spirituality. As such, I have learned many things in the lifespan of 58 years, after making mistakes and paying heavily. I wish for you not to waste the real wealth of life, as I did; hence I am sharing with you to save your real wealth.

Once again, I request all the members not to pursue this issue. What Shikhaji wanted to tell me, she told me, and what I had explained to her, I explained. I hope she will forgive me for using the word "Love."

His Blessings,

Sharad Shah

"And he said to them, 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' : Bible.

'Love your fellow beings first.' : Prophet Muhammad

'Be compassionate and love all human beings.' : Bhagavad Gita

For a moment Human Resource site turned into a site of Holy Revelation. Thanks to Shika, Shalini, and Sharadji.

Good. Let's close the thread here."