Lost in communication

How to communicate with an immigrant who comes from a developing country? Mostly, the attitude towards these people is belittling and assumed that they are behind western civilization. Sure, this attitude itself is very likely to be considered as ignorance. If you are interested in a better understanding of a person who is from a different culture, here are some tips.I might add more later, but this is all what I can suggest for now:

1. When you talk to a foreigner who doesn’t speak fluent English; don’t shout, keep your voice at a normal conversational level. Remember, she/he is not deaf, just can’t speak good English.

2. When you talk to an adult foreigner who doesn’t speak fluent English or speaks in a limited vocabulary and therefore may sound childish; don’t think that he/she has got a child’s brain too. Remember, that person has already gained a life experience in a different country and now is challenging him / herself by living in another country and learning a second or third language.

3.When a foreigner speaks with a limited vocabulary in English, don’t say he/she is cute. That’s really annoying and actually that person probably wants to be taken seriously like everybody else.

(I know, people say it as a complement but when it’s used as a way of describing my level of English, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. However, it depends on who says it:))

4.If a foreigner apoligises for their lack of English and mis-pronounciation, don’t say that ‘his/her English is better than your Spanish / French / Greek etc. (wherever the foreigner comes from)-’. That’s really insulting and usually dissuades the person from being friendly.

(Again, another supposed complement. But look at this way, you are comparing my level of English to your level of my native language, which you can’t even speak a word of . Am I being unfair? I just look at it from a different angle or is it me who should look at it from a different angle?)

5.When you meet a foreigner, don’t panic. Don’t worry that she/he may not understand you or you may not understand her/him. Just act normal, this way you both will understand each other better.

6.When you meet a foreigner, don’t assume that he/she is ignorant. It’s the opposite, they have already experienced lots of things, and now are finding out about your culture also! Keep your mind open, you will learn some interesting things from him/her as well as that person learns from you.

7.When you employ a foreigner, don’t treat her/him differently than the native British employees. Even though they may generally keep quiet, they will see what is going on. As a result the person is likely to build up negative feelings that will demotivate them in their post.And so, as a result, it is very likely that you will lose a hardworking employee and possibly be challenged in court due to breach of equal opportunity laws. Plus, it really hurts.

8.If a foreigner doesn’t use the words ‘thank you’ or ‘please’ as much as you use, it doesn’t mean he/she is being rude. Remember, he/she comes from a different culture and lacks the expertise in English Language and not judgement of good manners. This is how they can communicate until realising and applying the English manner to their life. It is exactly the same when you are abroad, word for word translation of English manners sometimes doesn’t make any sense in another language.

9.If you want immigrants to adapt to your culture, don’t treat them as cheap and easy workers. Show interest in understanding them and their needs and create opportunities for them. Especially in cultural and financial needs. Remember, you harvest what you sow.