> One of my team members has a hard time with English How did they get hired?
They are doing the job for the fraction of US salary. They know their native market very well. What problem you are seeing there?
Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
21–30 of 111 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#22That's hilarious. I used to work as a senior backend developer in one of Berlin's startups. Another senior BE dev was a native Russian speaker, so despite our fluency in English we started chatting in Russian now and then. Our conversations were meaningful and respectful (unlike those held by our predominantly Italian sales team who would shout out words like "cazzo"). We didn't mean to exclude anyone either, we only…
> just because junior devs do not have to participate in the discussions about architecture design
This is incredibly wrong.
Even in the case where a junior wouldn't be able to contribute to the discussion meaningfully (and that would be wrong too), they can learn from it.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#23That's hilarious. I used to work as a senior backend developer in one of Berlin's startups. Another senior BE dev was a native Russian speaker, so despite our fluency in English we started chatting in Russian now and then. Our conversations were meaningful and respectful (unlike those held by our predominantly Italian sales team who would shout out words like "cazzo"). We didn't mean to exclude anyone either, we only…
I've also seen this a ton in Berlin startups, although mostly French or Spanish.
You can't realistically ban people from speaking their native language to each other (nor should you try), however I can understand the feeling of exclusion it creates, not sure what the solution is.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#24Easy: just learn Mandarin /s
This is of course the flippant answer but it’s not a bad one. Like, why not? Speaking another widely used language is a really amazing experience and you have the hard parts out of the way which is an excuse to do it and people to practice with. If it seems daunting remember that it’s something even the dumbest two year olds are able to figure out how to do, so you could probably figure it out.
> If it seems daunting remember that it’s something even the dumbest two year olds are able to figure out how to do, so you could probably figure it out
Language acquisition skills are normally way better in early childhood.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#25That's hilarious. I used to work as a senior backend developer in one of Berlin's startups. Another senior BE dev was a native Russian speaker, so despite our fluency in English we started chatting in Russian now and then. Our conversations were meaningful and respectful (unlike those held by our predominantly Italian sales team who would shout out words like "cazzo"). We didn't mean to exclude anyone either, we only…
Bro wtf is with that end?
> but may I ask you: what's wrong with you? How do you think, does your attitude have something to do with xenophobia?
Completely outa the blue based on what came before.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#26The team member who has a hard time with English might just think that when everybody speaks English they feel awkward and left out. Why do you think you're special?
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#27That's hilarious. I used to work as a senior backend developer in one of Berlin's startups. Another senior BE dev was a native Russian speaker, so despite our fluency in English we started chatting in Russian now and then. Our conversations were meaningful and respectful (unlike those held by our predominantly Italian sales team who would shout out words like "cazzo"). We didn't mean to exclude anyone either, we only…
> just because junior devs do not have to participate in the discussions about architecture design This is incredibly wrong. Even in the case where a junior wouldn't be able to contribute to the discussion meaningfully (and that would be wrong too), they can learn from it.
> Even in the case where a junior wouldn't be able to contribute to the discussion meaningfully ... they can learn from it.
Do you mean to say junior devs should be a part every single meeting held by senior engineers? This is utter nonsense, sorry.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#28I'll get downvoted but whatever.
You're in a huge company in a corporate environment, therefore there is no tactful way that is guaranteed to not backfire, there is only the corporate way:
1. Document all instances where it happens. Don't name names.
2. Go talk to your manager about it (even without the list of events, that's ok).
3. If nothing is being done, raise an HR complaint with your list of evidence, insisting on the fact that YOU feel discriminated against and that you are in a hostile work environment.
If your coworkers already aren't speaking in English when you're around, they won't start just because you ask, at least not long term.
Note the goal here is not to blame others, it's to get what you want.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#29What @eukgoekoko mentioned isn't a bad strategy. Ask them to introduce an English only policy.
If the common language is English and there was no requirements to speak Mandarin, then get the managers to change that. Otherwise quit and don't work at a Chinese sweatshop.
No point working there if you can't understand anyone. I reckon, if that keeps going on, some tasks and requirements you were needed to do would be lost in translation. Then you're on the hook for that.
People WILL always use the language their most comfortable in.
Re: Ask HN: How to deal with my team speaking a different language?
#30My previous job was in a worldwide company: English was the language in the meeting, but sometimes people talk between them in their own just to clarify some details or because they feel more confident discussing some concepts in their mother tongue.
My suggestion is not being upset and said:"Hey, I don't understand Mandarin, so please, if there is something that I should know or that is important to me, please switch to English".