Re: Ya know what?

And a nastier indictment of English Language education in the US would be difficult to find...

Oh, wait. Ebonics.

*bonk self*

And - as far as stereotypes, there are Indian immigrants here I have no problem communicating with. It's just that most of the immigrants that I encounter (roughly 1/4 the population in this area, BTW) are difficult to understand. I guess that must be wrong, and the majority speak with crystal clarity and in fluent English, because it's a stereotype, right?

My skepticism comes from experience here, but I guess that most who speak fluent and easy-to-understand English must stay in India, rather than emigrate to English speaking countries (or at least to this part of NJ! *grin*). THAT rationale might preserve political correctness, and make Indians ideal help-desk-fodder.

Now, India is a huge country; there are probably a large number there with the English skills to pull off hellpdesk duty for English speakers... so such an enterprise as outlined in the article might work fine - until it becomes common (rather than simply accepted) practice. In the 'States, helpdesk is often the lowest of low-budget concerns - it's a cost center rather than a profit center, and therefore the among the first budgets to be cut in any enterprise. How long, do you suppose, would US companies using such an outsourcing technique insist on clear-speaking/fluent-in-English employees? After all, with a skill in demand, the more fluent would cost more to employ, no?

(sorry Peter - on reading this over, it's got a harsher tone than I intended... I should probably refrain from posting after a 2 hour commute)

Post #32,995 by pwhysall 3/21/02 11:34:26 AM Reply	Re: Ya know what? Ya know what's worse? It's hard to understand the often heavily accented English that Southern Americans speak. Y'all sound like Boomhauer (sp?) from "King Of The Hill". Yeah, stereotypes. Ain't they grand? Peter Shill For Hire [link\|http://www.kuro5hin.org\|There is no K5 Cabal]
Post #32,998 by Andrew Grygus 3/21/02 11:45:23 AM Reply	And elsewhere . . One place I worked many years ago employed a Scot. Don't remember his name (everyone called him "Scotty"). He generally had to repeat even simple sentences two or three times for comprehension. He told me, though, that wasn't the most painful part - that was calling home and having the folks say, "What's wrong with you? You talk like a damned Yank!". [link\|http://www.aaxnet.com\|AAx]
Post #33,000 by tonytib 3/21/02 11:47:51 AM Reply	And it's even harder to understand many from England
Post #33,010 by marlowe 3/21/02 12:41:52 PM Reply	But the Lancastrians are worth the effort. [link\|http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/marlowe/index.html\|http://www.angelfir...e/index.html] Truth is that which is the case. Accept no substitutes. If competence is considered "hubris" then may I and my country always be as "arrogant" as we can possibly manage.
Post #33,035 by imric 3/21/02 4:28:21 PM 3/21/02 8:12:10 PM Reply	I agree. And a nastier indictment of English Language education in the US would be difficult to find... Oh, wait. Ebonics. bonk self And - as far as stereotypes, there are Indian immigrants here I have no problem communicating with. It's just that most of the immigrants that I encounter (roughly 1/4 the population in this area, BTW) are difficult to understand. I guess that must be wrong, and the majority speak with crystal clarity and in fluent English, because it's a stereotype, right? My skepticism comes from experience here, but I guess that most who speak fluent and easy-to-understand English must stay in India, rather than emigrate to English speaking countries (or at least to this part of NJ! grin). THAT rationale might preserve political correctness, and make Indians ideal help-desk-fodder. Now, India is a huge country; there are probably a large number there with the English skills to pull off hellpdesk duty for English speakers... so such an enterprise as outlined in the article might work fine - until it becomes common (rather than simply accepted) practice. In the 'States, helpdesk is often the lowest of low-budget concerns - it's a cost center rather than a profit center, and therefore the among the first budgets to be cut in any enterprise. How long, do you suppose, would US companies using such an outsourcing technique insist on clear-speaking/fluent-in-English employees? After all, with a skill in demand, the more fluent would cost more to employ, no? (sorry Peter - on reading this over, it's got a harsher tone than I intended... I should probably refrain from posting after a 2 hour commute) Imric's Tips for Living Paranoia Is a Survival Trait Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised... Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win. Edited by imric March 21, 2002, 08:12:10 PM EST Expand All History

Welcome to IWETHEY!