Problems with Communication in Other Language

      
			              Forum
			            
							              13

		            		Hans Havelaar
Switzerland
			            
Problems with Communication in Other Language

	          		Hi there, I'm in a team of 4 with one manager. 3 out of the 4 members plus the manager are French speaking guys. I am the only one non-French speaking, so I use only English. My team members always talk in French, which makes me feel isolated. We communicate in English in 2 situations: during meetings or when they interact with me (low verbal interaction). Also they send me emails in English.

The company official languages are English and French.

Now my questions: did anyone face a similar issue? Any tips on how I can deal with this?
				      
X

							  			Welcome to the Communication and Skills forum. The topic being discussed here is: "Problems with Communication in Other Language". 
										
Get access to all of our 900 knowledge centers about management.  Join more than 1,000,000 other members. 

										Log in

Comments

																	  	Sort by date
																	  	Sort by rating
																		
Rating

										              3

						            	Johan Bergstroem
HR Consultant, Sweden
												
				                Language Problems in Communications

													It sounds far from an ideal situation. We recently had a Polish man here (in Sweden) that spoke slightly below average Swedish. It's far from same situation, but I really tried to make him feel at home, by explaining most of the quaint jokes and odd bits and things in Swedish, that always comes up during regular coffee breaks and whatnot, so he could relate.

In your situation it is harder though. As I imagine that you speak no French at all. I can also think that because you are one and they are many, it is on their responsibility to make you feel welcome, and not the other way around.

Also in a situation like this, nonverbal communications and gestures becomes more important, care and consideration, asking if you want to join for lunch or coffee.

With unwelcome feelings (brought from language-exclusion) they cannot expect very high results from you, I gather? Also, they really miss out when they let the chance slip them by to meet someone from another country, I learned very much from my now polish friend.
				                
										              3

						            	Herschtal Maurice
Consultant, France
												
				                Problems in Communication: the Language Barrier

													@Johan Bergstroem: I had a similar experience when I was working for a Swiss company. Most of my col... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Hans Havelaar
Switzerland
												
				                Language Barrier--within a Team

													@Herschtal Maurice: Thanks for your answer. The bad thing is that even the boss is French. In the be... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	marco alfieri
Italy
												
				                Language Barriers: my Experience and Opinion

													During my 40 years of professional life, I always worked in teams composed of people of various nati... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	Bergen
Manager, Netherlands
												
				                The Language Barrier - my Experiences

													Hi All, I work in a Taiwanese company. We use English as our main language, which works. But my coll... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Adri Albertyn, South Africa
												
				                The Language Barrier - my Experiences

													I work in a multi-lingual environment and usually observe body language and tone in interactions if ... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	Brita Singh
Professor, India
												
				                Multi-cultural Language Barriers

													I think that it is very important that you try to communicate with your colleagues in French!
They ... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Abbas Bilgrami
Management Consultant, Saudi Arabia
												
				                Language Barriers in Communication are High

													@Brita Singh: I don't think that will work, because I have tried this already.. I am in KSA and thou... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	shahid imran
Student (University), Pakistan
												
				                Barriers in Communication

													@Hans Havelaar: it is a common barrier in an effective communication. The only solution is to learn ... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Abraham Lagarde
Student (MBA), Philippines
												
				                Language Barrier in a Team

													@ Hans.....I'm not sure what your situation is in your company when you said "... The newcomers were... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Tettevi
Student (University), Ghana
												
				                Opportunity to Learn a Second Language

													You can also view this as an opportunity to learn another language for a future task or challenge. W... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Herschtal Maurice
Consultant, France
												
				                Communication in Other Language: don't Forget Culture!

													Hans, I need to add another point: language is important, but it is only a tool; cultural awareness ... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	pinar Basaran
Turkey
												
				                Professional Recommendation :)

													My recommendation is not so professionally but I guess it might work. Try to look like a cool guy wh... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	ADEOYE BABATUNDE
Career Consultant, Nigeria
												
				                Communication in Other Languages

													Hmm this is so serious and also such a challenge.
I work with a telecommunication company as a fron... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Jozelle Steenkamp
Director, South Africa
												
				                Communication with a Difference

													I have been in teaching and training for most of my adult life and being in a country with 11 offici... Sign up
				              
Leave a comment

		                            More on Communication and Skills:
		                          
													            	Methods, Models and Theories
													            
												              Discussion Topics
												            
		                          	25 Common Presentation Mistakes and Tips
Understanding Perceptions of Other People and Yourself
How to Disagree with a Superior: Recommendations
Communicating Effectively
Communication Channels: What is Grapevine Communication? Definition and Importance
How to Give a Powerful 5-Minute Presentation
8 Resolutions for Difficult Interpersonal Conversations
10 Tips and Ethics for Attending Business Meetings
Types of Communication
What are the Skills a Management Consultant Should Have?
The Impact of Culture on Communication
Tips for Questioning: Asking Questions and Responding to Them
Communication in Management
👀Problems with Communication in Other Language
🔥Not Invited... Should you Attend a Meeting?
How to Manage (Insidious) Insubordination?
How to Organize a Meeting? Best Practices
Role of Communication in New Companies
Morgan's 4 Underlying Intents (Aims) to Become an Authentic Speaker
ABC of Good Communication
The Impact of Gender on Communication Styles
Interaction versus Communication
Managing a Personal Dispute at Work
Morals and Communication
Textbook on Manageral Communication