Verified Document

Companies Stress English Only On The Job, Application Essay

¶ … companies Stress English Only on the Job," from Bridging the Gap, pages 373- 374, the authors take the position try to infer that company policies regarding "English only" are unfair. I agree with the article's inference and their point-of-view. In the first paragraph, the authors chose to relate a case study about Frances Arreola. I agree with the article's point-of-view and what it is inferring -- that English-only policies are unfair. While I assume that the case studies are factual, I noticed that the way it was presented suggested that the authors are inferring that the practice is not a good one. The article opens with the sentence: "When Frances Arreola read the memo announcing that employees should speak only English on the job, she was outraged. The word "outraged" gives me clues as to not only how Arreola feels, but how the authors feel about the policy. This also gives me clues as to the authors' points-of-view. If the authors were neutral or disagreed with Arreolas viewpoint they could have chosen a word such as "irritated" or "annoyed" instead of "outraged.

When I read the first paragraph, I too felt outraged. I felt this way, because I have seen how difficult it is for people to steer away from speaking their native languages. It was also obvious to me that the people within the companies who subscribed to the English-only rule, do not understand anything about how language works. In my observation, I have noticed incidents that validate the authors' point-of-view. The first is that people normally speak whatever language is most comfortable for both people involved in a conversation. For example, a woman who immigrated to the United States and had a child soon thereafter, will probably speak to her child in her native language. The mother and child will grow accustomed (comfortable)...

Even after the two are comfortable speaking English, they will continue to speak the foreign language to each other. I have also noticed that in group settings, where two such speakers are speaking English, that they are uncomfortable and will unconsciously throw in foreign phrases and words when addressing each other.
The authors have based their article on fact, in a way that attempts to educate the reader as to the negative side of the issue of "English-only policies." Facts that support their ideas come from indirect quotes from people they have spoken to, such as "employees who feel they have a right to speak in a more familiar language as long as it doesn't affect their work;" and direct quotes, such as "It [speaking another language] just feels comfortable." The authors have also presented facts, such as the rules by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These facts caused me to react positively to the point that the authors try to make.

On the other hand, I reacted sympathetically to the opposing side that the authors presented. I have been in situations where people leave me out of a conversation, because they are speaking a different language. The authors describe an outsider feeling as if the Spanish-chatting ladies are "whispering behind our backs." I believe that this is a justified feeling and one that illustrates the other side's point-of-view.

A reacted positively to the idea that the authors presented as a solution -- sensitivity training. I believe, having looked at the situation from both sides, that imagining myself in someone else's shoes can be quite an eye-opening, rather, ear-opening experience.

Question 4B

There are three abstract concepts at play in John Rasmus "Letter from the Editor" in National Geographic's Adventure Magazine, found in the March 2003 edition -- purpose, fact and inference. The main purpose is to whet the appetite of the reader to make him or her want to read the story that follows in the same edition. To achieve his main purpose of making the reader want to read…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Rasmus, John. "Letter from the Editor." National Geographic, Adventure Magazine. March 2003
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

English Rhetoric. Prison: Punishment or
Words: 3015 Length: 10 Document Type: Essay

In their opinion, a strictly penalizing system would be the best solution to put an end to crime. Recidivism is one of the main topics which go against the concept that it is best for the criminal justice system to adopt programs which are mainly intended to punish people. Prisons are of great importance to society, as they succeed in holding, punishing, and rehabilitating the persons that pose a threat

Job Description: My Ideal Job
Words: 613 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Upper-level managers may have to have a MBA, depending upon the nature of the organization. And some may have more unconventional majors and backgrounds, although business education of some sort is required. Skills: Knowledge of computers is a must, as is a keen interest and familiarity with organizational psychology. Some knowledge of employee testing may be required, if these techniques are used at the company to profile and type positions.

Dream Job Numerous Research Has
Words: 1127 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

The main qualification of the person who would be in any management environment most suitable for a CEO position, is to be an ambitious leader, highly positive and decisive in difficult financial, management, environmental and technical company situations. This personal advantage though must be complemented with other personal skills. Thus, the majority of the advertisements for the CEO positions in big companies stress that the potential CEO must be

HRM Job Human Resource Management PBL Exercise
Words: 1475 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

HRM Job Human Resource Management PBL exercise Human Resource Management PBL exercise 1: Taking an HRM job The cereal company Sanitarium is currently seeking an HR generalist. Sanitarium advertises itself as the company that transformed Australia's eating habits, shifting the tastes of the national palate from traditional 'fry-ups' to more healthy whole grains at the breakfast table. "We were the first to introduce healthy and innovative breakfast foods and soy foods. We promoted

Creative Writing in English: Singapore
Words: 34880 Length: 127 Document Type: Dissertation

This was usually the case with the proliferation of British rule at the time; trade was the predecessor to British Colonialism. For administrative purposes, Singapore became a part of Penang and Malacca which were two other settlements in the region. By 1826 these areas were grouped together and became known as the Straits Settlement. Initially the centre of the Straits Settlement was Penang. Penang was governed by Calcutta and

Resume English -- the Cv Writing to
Words: 626 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

RESUME English -- the CV Writing To what extent is it appropriate to embellish a CV? What do you think is the most important thing to consider when writing a CV? A resume is supposed to present 'your best self' to a prospective employer. When presenting a list of employment 'highlights,' it is appropriate to use language that is complementary and also to include the most flattering aspects of that history. However, making

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now