Native Tongue Wars

Since when did it become standard practice for employers in America to demand that American Citizens speak a foreign language in order to secure employment? Even low paying, entry level positions are being advertised as “Bi-lingual preferred.” Do other countries demand that their citizens learn other languages as well? This is a form of discrimination based on nationality.

In a recent job search in Las Vegas, Nevada several friends and family members have commented on the common disclaimer made at the end of a large percentage of help wanted ads: “Bi-Lingual preferred.” Is this trend happening due to a more “global” economy and attitude or is it simply due to a large migration into the Southwest by Spanish speaking immigrants? The question is not whether they are here legally or not. The question is why American business owners are selling out their U.S. born workforce by demanding that we know a foreign language in order to make a living in our own country. Shouldn't the burden be on these job-seeking foreigners to learn our language if they want to benefit from living in our country? If I moved to a foreign country, such as Greece or Spain I would most certainly learn the language before expecting employment.

It is ironic that while most immigrants come to the United States in hopes of a better standard of living, these business owners are taking away the standard of living for U.S. born natives by giving away jobs to bi-lingual applicants. Add to that the global trend of sending businesses to lower wage countries and the fate of the American Worker seems even more perilous.

Careers in certain industries should require foreign language skills for obvious reasons. If one is seeking employment in International Finance, Foreign Policy or World Travel, for example, it would seem fitting to have knowledge of the major languages of the world in order to communicate effectively. This is proven in College Course books where “Foreign Languages” is a required part of those curriculums. To be asked to speak two languages in order to serve burgers at the local fast food restaurant, however, is absurd and unconstitutional. If a foreign person cannot even order a hamburger in our native language than how does he/she expect to be able to secure employment? Should all American Schools require that all languages be mastered before graduation? Greek? Spanish? French? Arabic? Just in case one's city or state is suddenly infiltrated by a particular group of immigrants?

After a recent trip to Spain, a friend of mine told stories of a frustrating and confusing experience. No one in her hotel, or the local shops or restaurants spoke English. She was forced to contact the U.S. Embassy there in order to finalize her traveling plans. My parents spent six months in Europe on business and while several (but not all) of their hosts spoke English, most places, like The Louvre Museum in Paris held tours in six different languages.

In United States Federal Hiring guidelines the act of discriminating against a potential employee based on National origin, race, color, age or creed is illegal. So how then, do our own American business owners get away with discriminating against their fellow Americans based on language? Are they not turning away applicants based on their national origin? This country is supposed to a “melting pot,” not a box of crayons. If someone moves into this country in order to obtain a better life for themselves and their families, the least they could do is melt into our society. Learning the language is a good place to start.