Law suit filed against Hindi imposition in US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin,

by Kayalvizhi Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:13 pm

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

by Kris Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:16 pm

Kayalvizhi wrote:According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

In Wisconsin? Was this an Indian restaurant or something?

by Kayalvizhi Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:17 pm

infosys

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:36 pm

One can easily guess which part of India (state) the former employees hail from.

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:12 pm

Kinnera wrote:One can easily guess which part of India (state) the former employees hail from.

they are from the US where we speak english in the workplace.

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:22 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:One can easily guess which part of India (state) the former employees hail from.

they are from the US where we speak english in the workplace.

Infosys is an indian company. They sure must be speaking to their american clients in english, def'ly not in hindi or tamil.

by MaxEntropy_Man Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:29 pm

Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:One can easily guess which part of India (state) the former employees hail from.

they are from the US where we speak english in the workplace.
Infosys is an indian company. They sure must be speaking to their american clients in english, def'ly not in hindi or tamil.

they are also expected to speak with their american employees in english unless they put knowledge of languages other than english in the job requirement.

by Kris Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:19 pm

Kinnera wrote:One can easily guess which part of India (state) the former employees hail from.

>>>The company will end catching some flak on this, unless they had the foresight to cover themselves in the fine print somewhere. I worked for a very Japanese outfit once and we were told up front to excuse the top brass talking in Japanese occasionally among themselves, as they did not have much English fluency. My boss spoke almost none and all my communication with him was through a third party. Strangely, this was the least of the culture clash problems. The consensus- orientation which forced inclusion of several people even in run-of-the-mill decisions drove many of us up the wall.

by FluteHolder Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:25 am

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-former-us-employees-of-infosys-allege-hindi-bias-file-lawsuit-589765?pfrom=home-business

The case has been filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees. Ms Bolten was hired as a software tester, while Mr Handloser was hired by Infosys in 2004 as a sales manager.

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

----
This is the wakeup call for companies like infy/TCS as I have seen their employees talk in Hindi/Non-English at client sites.

>>Interesting last name though Smile

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:26 am

FluteHolder wrote:http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-former-us-employees-of-infosys-allege-hindi-bias-file-lawsuit-589765?pfrom=home-business

The case has been filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees. Ms Bolten was hired as a software tester, while Mr Handloser was hired by Infosys in 2004 as a sales manager.

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

----
This is the wakeup call for companies like infy/TCS as I have seen their employees talk in Hindi/Non-English at client sites.

>>Interesting last name though

those names make it very clear which state in india these people are from!

by FluteHolder Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:31 am

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:those names make it very clear which state in india these people are from!

by seven Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:10 am

People who complain and file law suits better make a lot of money from it so they can retire after the settlement. No one company is going to give them a job after this for sure.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:21 am

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
FluteHolder wrote:http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-former-us-employees-of-infosys-allege-hindi-bias-file-lawsuit-589765?pfrom=home-business

The case has been filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees. Ms Bolten was hired as a software tester, while Mr Handloser was hired by Infosys in 2004 as a sales manager.

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

----
This is the wakeup call for companies like infy/TCS as I have seen their employees talk in Hindi/Non-English at client sites.

>>Interesting last name though

those names make it very clear which state in india these people are from!

Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Crying or Very sad

Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

by seven Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:33 am

These are US citizens. Not Indians from tamilnadu or keral.
Cry babies. Boohoo Indians got promotion. Boohoo I know so much more but I'm not the lead. Boohoo positive comments about me were deleted before fwding emails (ok that's a little mean. Stupid on managers part).

Maybe they felt out of place and Indian sometimes don't realize how unthoughtful n inconsiderate we can be.

But I don't see this lawsuit going anywhere. Why did they joined a service company. Dhakke Khane ke liye? :p
What are H1 folks ?

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:48 am

signs of times.

locals are filing discrimination suits against foreigners!

by seven Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:58 am

Folks for*

by Kayalvizhi Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:29 am

Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:30 am

seven wrote:These are US citizens. Not Indians from tamilnadu or keral.
Cry babies. Boohoo Indians got promotion. Boohoo I know so much more but I'm not the lead. Boohoo positive comments about me were deleted before fwding emails (ok that's a little mean. Stupid on managers part).

Maybe they felt out of place and Indian sometimes don't realize how unthoughtful n inconsiderate we can be.

But I don't see this lawsuit going anywhere. Why did they joined a service company. Dhakke Khane ke liye? :p
What are H1 folks ?

Sometimes?! it happens most of the time, in one of my recent projects it has gotten so worse that an american guy had to constantly remind them politely, he used to say "have you guys started speaking in English again"

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:36 am

Kayalvizhi wrote:Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.

நீ என்ன லூசா?

FBI will pic and record phone calls of any and all who claim to belong to Tamil Losers Council of North America.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:40 am

Kinnera wrote:
Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

You ask how can these Naarthies be so so stupid? And, how can a Southie company that has been sued every other year by someone for something cannot control such a stupidity.

In this day and age of cell phone, I will hit the "record" button on my cell quite a few times covering quite a few senior people, and present this to the court quite confidentally...rather just order Infy to shell out quite a few millions by Fed Ex or else....

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:52 am

Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
FluteHolder wrote:http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-former-us-employees-of-infosys-allege-hindi-bias-file-lawsuit-589765?pfrom=home-business

The case has been filed by Layla Bolten, Gregor Handloser and two more employees. Ms Bolten was hired as a software tester, while Mr Handloser was hired by Infosys in 2004 as a sales manager.

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin, the former employees alleged that they were "excluded" from work conversations by their supervisors and co-workers who "regularly spoke in Hindi" in front of them.

----
This is the wakeup call for companies like infy/TCS as I have seen their employees talk in Hindi/Non-English at client sites.

>>Interesting last name though

those names make it very clear which state in india these people are from!
Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

why are you so obsessed with discussing a group of people who are neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants in this case?

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:01 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:

those names make it very clear which state in india these people are from!
Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

why are you so obsessed with discussing a group of people who are neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants in this case?[/quote]

We dont DISCUSS anything on SuCH. We just (cross)TALK.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:04 pm

Kayalvizhi wrote:Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.

Madam, this happens with not just hindi. Happens with tamil too. I overheard a conference call of an Indian based software company. The folks in the group were probably a majority of tamilians because they were switching back and forth from english to tamil and tamil to english. If there's a non-tamilian in the group, he'd have been a gone case. I am not saying it can't happen with telugu either. A majority in the software industry are telugus. Don't make this into another hindi or north indian bashing. Unfortunately, everyone does it.

At least as a courtesy rule, even if there's one in the group who doesn't know the language of the majority, the majority should speak in the language that everyone understands. It's so rude to not do it otherwise. Not just in an office environment, but in parties too. I try to be very careful about that.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:05 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

why are you so obsessed with discussing a group of people who are neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants in this case?

Kayal vizhi, tamil tribune, Tamil Nationalist Council of North America...the folks seem to be so excited about this. One can easily guess why.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:13 pm

Kinnera wrote:
Kayalvizhi wrote:Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.
Madam, this happens with not just hindi. Happens with tamil too. I overheard a conference call of an Indian based software company. The folks in the group were probably a majority of tamilians because they were switching back and forth from english to tamil and tamil to english. If there's a non-tamilian in the group, he'd have been a gone case. I am not saying it can't happen with telugu either. A majority in the software industry are telugus. Don't make this into another hindi or north indian bashing. Unfortunately, everyone does it.

At least as a courtesy rule, even if there's one in the group who doesn't know the language of the majority, the majority should speak in the language that everyone understands. It's so rude to not do it otherwise. Not just in an office environment, but in parties too. I try to be very careful about that.

why are you apologizing for the behavior of these people? the lawsuit doesn't say that the defendants spoke amongst themselves in telugu or in tamil. it says they spoke amongst themselves in hindi. and knowing what i know about the behavior of indians in general, even if there was only one guy in the room whose native language was hindi, they'd have spoken in hindi for his benefit without regard to anybody else in the room.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:34 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
Kayalvizhi wrote:Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.
Madam, this happens with not just hindi. Happens with tamil too. I overheard a conference call of an Indian based software company. The folks in the group were probably a majority of tamilians because they were switching back and forth from english to tamil and tamil to english. If there's a non-tamilian in the group, he'd have been a gone case. I am not saying it can't happen with telugu either. A majority in the software industry are telugus. Don't make this into another hindi or north indian bashing. Unfortunately, everyone does it.

At least as a courtesy rule, even if there's one in the group who doesn't know the language of the majority, the majority should speak in the language that everyone understands. It's so rude to not do it otherwise. Not just in an office environment, but in parties too. I try to be very careful about that.

why are you apologizing for the behavior of these people? the lawsuit doesn't say that the defendants spoke amongst themselves in telugu or in tamil. it says they spoke amongst themselves in hindi. and knowing what i know about the behavior of indians in general, even if there was only one guy in the room whose native language was hindi, they'd have spoken in hindi for his benefit without regard to anybody else in the room.

Where am i apologizing? I'm just telling you anti-hindi tamil folks not to get too excited about this. Look closely at yourself. you guys and everyone is guilty of it too.

Coming to the second part of your post, if it's a desi group anybody else in the room who wouldn't understand even a bit of hindi would be a tamilian from TN, maybe. If that happened to you, i feel sorry. That was rude on the part of the group.
Actually, tamilians gained this notoriety of speaking in tamil among themselves without any consideration for others around. I do defend this stereotypical impression about tamilians. Can't label one group like that.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:40 pm

Kinnera wrote:
Where am i apologizing? I'm just telling you anti-hindi tamil folks not to get too excited about this. Look closely at yourself. you guys and everyone is guilty of it too.

Coming to the second part of your post, if it's a desi group anybody else in the room who wouldn't understand even a bit of hindi would be a tamilian from TN, maybe. If that happened to you, i feel sorry. That was rude on the part of the group.
Actually, tamilians gained this notoriety of speaking in tamil among themselves without any consideration for others around. I do defend this stereotypical impression about tamilians. Can't label one group like that.

Hey...listen...remember two things:

1. Hindians not only talk in hindi among themselves but also insist on talking to Tamilans and insist they reply in Tamil. Tamilans never insist hindians to talk in tamil or claim Tamil to be a "national Language"

2. We tamilians have earned our right to talk in tamil bcz we are simply superior...and non Tamilans are not as versatile as we are in English....(take me for example).... Razz

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:49 pm

Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
Kayalvizhi wrote:Tamil Nationalist Council of North America will look into filing an affidavit as a friend of the court because TNCNA has information that might help the court in making a decision.
Madam, this happens with not just hindi. Happens with tamil too. I overheard a conference call of an Indian based software company. The folks in the group were probably a majority of tamilians because they were switching back and forth from english to tamil and tamil to english. If there's a non-tamilian in the group, he'd have been a gone case. I am not saying it can't happen with telugu either. A majority in the software industry are telugus. Don't make this into another hindi or north indian bashing. Unfortunately, everyone does it.

At least as a courtesy rule, even if there's one in the group who doesn't know the language of the majority, the majority should speak in the language that everyone understands. It's so rude to not do it otherwise. Not just in an office environment, but in parties too. I try to be very careful about that.

why are you apologizing for the behavior of these people? the lawsuit doesn't say that the defendants spoke amongst themselves in telugu or in tamil. it says they spoke amongst themselves in hindi. and knowing what i know about the behavior of indians in general, even if there was only one guy in the room whose native language was hindi, they'd have spoken in hindi for his benefit without regard to anybody else in the room.
Where am i apologizing? I'm just telling you anti-hindi tamil folks not to get too excited about this. Look closely at yourself. you guys and everyone is guilty of it too.

Coming to the second part of your post, if it's a desi group anybody else in the room who wouldn't understand even a bit of hindi would be a tamilian from TN, maybe. If that happened to you, i feel sorry. That was rude on the part of the group.
Actually, tamilians gained this notoriety of speaking in tamil among themselves without any consideration for others around. I do defend this stereotypical impression about tamilians. Can't label one group like that.

maybe you haven't realized something fundamental. to jabber in one's native language in a social get together comprising a diversity of people is rude. to do so in a work setting is an invitation for a lawsuit as we have just seen. this is a good lesson for indians who work in multinational companies.

asking me to look at myself is pointless. i don't use any language other than english in professional settings. there is no opportunity to use tamil or hindi or any other language.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:02 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
maybe you haven't realized something fundamental. to jabber in one's native language in a social get together comprising a diversity of people is rude. to do so in a work setting is an invitation for a lawsuit as we have just seen. this is a good lesson for indians who work in multinational companies.

asking me to look at myself is pointless. i don't use any language other than english in professional settings. there is no opportunity to use tamil or hindi or any other language.

I said the same above too. This should be a lesson to every one of the desis. Don't make this into an anti-hindi thing, get all excited about it and not look at your own self.

Edit: you is generic

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:19 pm

Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
maybe you haven't realized something fundamental. to jabber in one's native language in a social get together comprising a diversity of people is rude. to do so in a work setting is an invitation for a lawsuit as we have just seen. this is a good lesson for indians who work in multinational companies.

asking me to look at myself is pointless. i don't use any language other than english in professional settings. there is no opportunity to use tamil or hindi or any other language.
I said the same above too. This should be a lesson to every one of the desis. Don't make this into an anti-hindi thing, get all excited about it and not look at your own self.

Edit: you is generic

The probability of this happening the most, is among desis of north indian origin. What language do you think a Punjabai, Gujarati, UPite and Marathi are likely to engage in an office setting in the US. Conversely, what do you think would be the language of communication among a Telugu, Tamilian, Kannadiga and a Keralite in a similar setting.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:22 pm

confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
maybe you haven't realized something fundamental. to jabber in one's native language in a social get together comprising a diversity of people is rude. to do so in a work setting is an invitation for a lawsuit as we have just seen. this is a good lesson for indians who work in multinational companies.

asking me to look at myself is pointless. i don't use any language other than english in professional settings. there is no opportunity to use tamil or hindi or any other language.
I said the same above too. This should be a lesson to every one of the desis. Don't make this into an anti-hindi thing, get all excited about it and not look at your own self.

Edit: you is generic
The probability of this happening the most, is among desis of north indian origin. What language do you think a Punjabai, Gujarati, UPite and Marathi are likely to engage in an office setting in the US. Conversely, what do you think would be the language of communication among a Telugu, Tamilian, Kannadiga and a Keralite in a similar setting.

Kannadigas and hyderabadis would be quite comfortable in Hindi and when everyone else is talking in Hindi the Tamilian will join in in Hindi as well.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:32 pm

Rashmun wrote:
Kannadigas and hyderabadis would be quite comfortable in Hindi and when everyone else is talking in Hindi the Tamilian will join in in Hindi as well.

you keep harping on this, but i posted evidence in another thread of a tamil person not learning hindi in seemingly proud defiance, in a situation that probably imposes the highest pressure to learn hindi, as a member of a sports team in which the majority speak hindi. you might want to take a look at that.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:36 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Rashmun wrote:
Kannadigas and hyderabadis would be quite comfortable in Hindi and when everyone else is talking in Hindi the Tamilian will join in in Hindi as well.

you keep harping on this, but i posted evidence in another thread of a tamil person not learning hindi in seemingly proud defiance, in a situation that probably imposes the highest pressure to learn hindi, as a member of a sports team in which the majority speak hindi. you might want to take a look at that.

Is it the stuff about Murali Vijay? The guy is just clowning around hardly expecting anyone to take him seriously. He probably knows and understands hindi but pretends he doesn't understand so as to irritate Ishant and have some fun.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:19 pm

confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
maybe you haven't realized something fundamental. to jabber in one's native language in a social get together comprising a diversity of people is rude. to do so in a work setting is an invitation for a lawsuit as we have just seen. this is a good lesson for indians who work in multinational companies.

asking me to look at myself is pointless. i don't use any language other than english in professional settings. there is no opportunity to use tamil or hindi or any other language.
I said the same above too. This should be a lesson to every one of the desis. Don't make this into an anti-hindi thing, get all excited about it and not look at your own self.

Edit: you is generic
The probability of this happening the most, is among desis of north indian origin. What language do you think a Punjabai, Gujarati, UPite and Marathi are likely to engage in an office setting in the US. Conversely, what do you think would be the language of communication among a Telugu, Tamilian, Kannadiga and a Keralite in a similar setting.

Here's the thing: If you are a non-tamil who chose to live in tamilnadu, learn that goddamn language coz the majority around you speak that language. It is the language you hear in the streets and in offices. If you don't learn it, but then complain, you are being a douchebag.

If you are an Indian who lived/live in India, learn that damn hindi coz that's the language known to a majority of indians throughout the length and breadth of india (except probably TN, which is also changing). Forget about rashtrabasha and stuff. Be practical. It's a common link language. If you don't learn the language, insist on using only english as a link language, but complain about ppl talking in that language at the work place or elsewhere, then you are being a fool.

If you are a non-english speaker who chose to live in US, pls learn that stupid english coz you can't get by without knowing that language.

My husband worked for a Swiss bank in Switzerland some time ago. Everyone around, even at work, spoke in German. They *expected* everyone living there to learn German. No excuses were accepted.

In the scenario of the original post, if the americans had gone to India to work there, then they can't complain that ppl around are talking in hindi. They got to learn that language if they chose to work for an indian company in india. But this happened in US, an english speaking country. The indian company came here to set up its office. Can't expect the locals to know an indian language. The indians around should've been more considerate.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:25 pm

Kinnera wrote:
But this happened in US, an english speaking country. The indian company came here to set up its office. Can't expect the locals to know an indian language. The indians around should've been more considerate.

in that case, why did you bring tamilians into the discussion and do a bit of irrelevant muckraking when they had NOTHING whatsoever to do with this case? speaking in english in an american workplace is not just being considerate, it's the ONLY way. to do something else may bring legal trouble.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:39 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
But this happened in US, an english speaking country. The indian company came here to set up its office. Can't expect the locals to know an indian language. The indians around should've been more considerate.

in that case, why did you bring tamilians into the discussion and do a bit of irrelevant muckraking when they had NOTHING whatsoever to do with this case? speaking in english in an american workplace is not just being considerate, it's the ONLY way. to do something else may bring legal trouble.

If it's an all indian working environment, they are just recreating how it is in indian offices, though in US. Indians can't complain about it. If they did, they are being douches. But with non-indians around, they should've been more considerate.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:43 pm

Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
But this happened in US, an english speaking country. The indian company came here to set up its office. Can't expect the locals to know an indian language. The indians around should've been more considerate.

in that case, why did you bring tamilians into the discussion and do a bit of irrelevant muckraking when they had NOTHING whatsoever to do with this case? speaking in english in an american workplace is not just being considerate, it's the ONLY way. to do something else may bring legal trouble.
If it's an all indian working environment, they are just recreating how it is in indian offices, though in US. Indians can't complain about it. If they did, they are being douches. But with non-indians around, they should've been more considerate.

(a) you are plain wrong. they can. it is irrelevant that they are indians. this is an american workplace and everyone, americans or not, have certain expectations of the language in which they are to conduct business.

(b) you didn't answer my original question (bolded)

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:46 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
But this happened in US, an english speaking country. The indian company came here to set up its office. Can't expect the locals to know an indian language. The indians around should've been more considerate.

in that case, why did you bring tamilians into the discussion and do a bit of irrelevant muckraking when they had NOTHING whatsoever to do with this case? speaking in english in an american workplace is not just being considerate, it's the ONLY way. to do something else may bring legal trouble.
If it's an all indian working environment, they are just recreating how it is in indian offices, though in US. Indians can't complain about it. If they did, they are being douches. But with non-indians around, they should've been more considerate.

(a) you are plain wrong. they can. it is irrelevant that they are indians. this is an american workplace and everyone, americans or not, have certain expectations of the language in which they are to conduct business.

(b) you didn't answer my original question (bolded)

I think i did answer your bolded original question a long time ago. Here:

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:
Interesting! Now the golden question is: Then how are the poor tamil employees managing? Ayyooo!! Poor things! Or are they learning Hindi? That should feel like a sword in the backs to the anti hindi (anti sanskrit, anti hindu) folks.

why are you so obsessed with discussing a group of people who are neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants in this case?

Kayal vizhi, tamil tribune, Tamil Nationalist Council of North America...the folks seem to be so excited about this. One can easily guess why. edit: I was taking a dig at them. If it hit you, too bad!

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:47 pm

Kinnera wrote:
If you are an Indian who lived/live in India, learn that damn hindi coz that's the language known to a majority of indians throughout the length and breadth of india (except probably TN, which is also changing). Forget about rashtrabasha and stuff. Be practical. It's a common link language. If you don't learn the language, insist on using only english as a link language, but complain about ppl talking in that language at the work place or elsewhere, then you are being a fool.

Hmm... If I read it right; [for example] native folks of Chittore & Ananthpur should learn Hindi bcz some north indian saheb might come to work in their town.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:52 pm

confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
If you are an Indian who lived/live in India, learn that damn hindi coz that's the language known to a majority of indians throughout the length and breadth of india (except probably TN, which is also changing). Forget about rashtrabasha and stuff. Be practical. It's a common link language. If you don't learn the language, insist on using only english as a link language, but complain about ppl talking in that language at the work place or elsewhere, then you are being a fool.
Hmm... If I read it right; [for example] native folks of Chittore & Ananthpur should learn Hindi bcz some north indian saheb might come to work in their town.

They need not learn english either, but can't complain if they can't communicate with others outside of chittore or anantapur.

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:03 pm

Kinnera wrote:
confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
If you are an Indian who lived/live in India, learn that damn hindi coz that's the language known to a majority of indians throughout the length and breadth of india (except probably TN, which is also changing). Forget about rashtrabasha and stuff. Be practical. It's a common link language. If you don't learn the language, insist on using only english as a link language, but complain about ppl talking in that language at the work place or elsewhere, then you are being a fool.
Hmm... If I read it right; [for example] native folks of Chittore & Ananthpur should learn Hindi bcz some north indian saheb might come to work in their town.
They need not learn english either, but can't complain if they can't communicate with others outside of chittore or anantapur.

But we're not talking about them leaving their native town rather about utility of Hindi in their town in Chittore Dt. AFAIK, in both A.P/Telangana, no one or very negligible percentage speak passable Hindi outside of twin cities.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:15 pm

confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
confuzzled dude wrote:
Kinnera wrote:
If you are an Indian who lived/live in India, learn that damn hindi coz that's the language known to a majority of indians throughout the length and breadth of india (except probably TN, which is also changing). Forget about rashtrabasha and stuff. Be practical. It's a common link language. If you don't learn the language, insist on using only english as a link language, but complain about ppl talking in that language at the work place or elsewhere, then you are being a fool.
Hmm... If I read it right; [for example] native folks of Chittore & Ananthpur should learn Hindi bcz some north indian saheb might come to work in their town.
They need not learn english either, but can't complain if they can't communicate with others outside of chittore or anantapur.
But we're not talking about them leaving their native town rather about utility of Hindi in their town in Chittore Dt. AFAIK, in both A.P/Telangana, no one or very negligible percentage speak passable Hindi outside of twin cities.

That's fine. But if they moved to the twin cities or elsewhere, and if everyone around speaks in hindi, even at work, they can't complain. They got to learn that language. Most can't speak proper english either, but then don't they learn it when they move to the cities?

My brother and SIL didn't know a word of tamil before they moved to TN. But they learned it and speak it so fluently now. It's the language of the majority around. Adapt, don't complain.

by truthbetold Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:37 pm

Kinnera,

Most people follow the logic you are suggesting. You go to a new place, adopt the local customs and adjust to local realities.

If murali vijay is playing for indian team, he should learn a tool to communicate with the likes of dhoni and bhuvaneshwar kumar. In Indian context hindi seems to provide that link.

Some people insist on victim mentality. So they find hindi as a possible problem even where it is sensible solution. These people cannot distinguish between unacceptable hindi imposition and hindi as tool for communication for the vast majority of Indians involved in non local transactions within india.

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:43 pm

Kinnera wrote:
That's fine. But if they moved to the twin cities or elsewhere, and if everyone around speaks in hindi, even at work, they can't complain. They got to learn that language. Most can't speak proper english either, but then don't they learn it when they move to the cities?

My brother and SIL didn't know a word of tamil before they moved to TN. But they learned it and speak it so fluently now. It's the language of the majority around. Adapt, don't complain.

I think former CM of A.P, NTR did complain because the language of majority around happened to be Telugu but my point is not about learning the language of majority rather the suggestion that Hindi is spoken by everyone in India except in TN, which is not true. And, in general southern states are regarded as developed, by Indian standards of course, in spite of not using Hindi as a link language, not sure of the use of an Indian link language, it doesn't serve much purpose.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:51 pm

truthbetold wrote:Kinnera,
You go to a new place, adopt the local customs and adjust to local realities.

i am sure you see no irony in this statement when you think about the northindians who spend entire central govt careers in places like chennai.

by confuzzled dude Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:52 pm

truthbetold wrote:Kinnera,

Most people follow the logic you are suggesting. You go to a new place, adopt the local customs and adjust to local realities.

I'm confused as to what Kinnera's point is other than unnecessary Tamil bashing, no one ever complained (including Max) about learning local language. You appear to have understood her point, please elucidate us mortals

truthbetold wrote:
If murali vijay is playing for indian team, he should learn a tool to communicate with the likes of dhoni and bhuvaneshwar kumar. In Indian context hindi seems to provide that link.

Some people insist on victim mentality. So they find hindi as a possible problem even where it is sensible solution. These people cannot distinguish between unacceptable hindi imposition and hindi as tool for communication for the vast majority of Indians involved in non local transactions within india.

In what form? formal written communication or passable oral communication, sort of Spanish in the US?

by MaxEntropy_Man Sat Jul 19, 2014 4:00 pm

i get pulled back into this crap no matter how hard i try. i should concentrate on the other language i am trying to learn which is so much more fun.

by Ponniyin Selvan Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:26 pm

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:i get pulled back into this crap no matter how hard i try. i should concentrate on the other language i am trying to learn which is so much more fun.

I think you should just ignore certain commenters. There is no point in repeating the same arguments with the same person for many years..

One argument I have found effective is the European Union argument. Comparing India with Europe gives the folks (who are rational and willing to listen) a better picture of where we as Tamils / Telugus /Kannadigas / Marathis et.al.. stand. India is not a nation but a collection of diverse groups and it is as meaningless to expect a Spanish to learn and speak German with say French because German is called as the European national language..

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:45 pm

The european analogy fits India well.

The glue that holds Europe together - for most part - is the race and democracy.

The glue that holds Indian states together is the LAND, the religion, and the Culture. Not the languages and not the peoples. There is no love lost between the various people but what each people loves is the land inhabited by the other peoples.

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