Ombud’s Corner: Do you speak CERNese?

CERNese is the language spoken here: based on English and French, it’s a mixture of accents, pronunciations and body languages that go well together. CERNese is also an attitude: we make an effort to understand others and to ensure that other people understand what we say. Do you speak this language?

 

Joe works in an office with four colleagues who all share a national language, their direct supervisor also happens to be of the same nationality, and most of the communication in the team therefore also takes place in this language - one that Joe does not speak. Moreover, they often go for coffee together and although they sometimes remember their CERNese and invite him to go with them, they inevitably end up switching to the national language that he does not share. He feels very uncomfortable because he is not included in the conversations. Sometimes he suspects that they are talking about his work. What is worse is that sometimes he realises that they have shared vital work-related information that he has missed.

It is quite natural for colleagues who share a national language to make it their working language at CERN. However, this cannot be tolerated when it puts other colleagues into a difficult situation, either subjectively because they feel left out or objectively because they miss out on important information. Nobody should miss a meeting or project deadline because the necessary information did not reach them.

Joe understands that it’s normal and natural for his colleagues to speak their national language; he feels that his presence in the team is a nuisance, as it obliges the others to change their habits. He keeps asking them to involve him and share information with him in English, the language they all have in common; he has even tried to learn a few phrases in their language in order to show his willingness to fit in but, despite all his efforts, he finds himself excluded and his work begins to suffer. He tries to discuss this with his supervisor, who brushes him off, saying that he needs to adapt to the reality of a multi-national environment.

Speaking CERNese is a way of demonstrating respect for each other. Adapting our language to ensure that other colleagues understand what we say, making sure that everybody has access to the same information, being sensitive about people’s feelings and including everybody appropriately: these are all ways of fostering mutual respect.

Speaking CERNese is also an essential way of ensuring that everyone adapts to the reality of a multi-national environment: it is critical to the success of our workplace and it is a sure path towards ensuring motivation and productivity.

If you find yourself in a situation like Joe’s, do not hesitate to contact the Ombud as early as possible: the sooner we act on it, through mediation or other supportive actions, the quicker we will be able to restore the situation to a healthy and effective working environment based on mutual respect and understanding.


All previous Ombud's Corners can be accessed in the Ombud's blog.

by Sudeshna Datta-Cockerill