| Businesses have no problem bridging the language | | | | The law |
| gap when it comes to serving customers of varying | | | | The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission |
| language backgrounds and communities. When it | | | | protects individuals from being discriminated against in |
| comes to hiring practices however, it seems that | | | | the workplace because of their native language or |
| there is sometimes a tendency to turn down | | | | other characteristics of speech, such as accent. Such |
| prospective employees based on their native tongue | | | | discrimination can take the form of a |
| or accented English. These kinds of practices are | | | | "speak-English-only" policy in which employees are |
| illegal and employees are protected under the law | | | | forbidden from speaking any language other than |
| from discrimination based on their language or accent. | | | | English at work and even during breaks. |
| "This is America, so speak American." As confusing as | | | | Hiring practices |
| that statement may be, many well meaning patriots | | | | Language discrimination can also occur during the |
| believe that the United States only have room for | | | | hiring process. An interviewing employer might turn |
| one language, English. The reality of this country is | | | | down an interviewee who speaks fluent English |
| that there are large communities of varying cultures | | | | stating they are not suitable for the position because |
| that speak several languages and dialects. Though | | | | they speak with a Spanish accent. Meanwhile another |
| assimilation to American culture is a big part of any | | | | employee who speaks with a British accent is |
| immigrant's process, preserving their native culture | | | | interviewed for the position. This is another example |
| and language is equally critical to maintaining a diverse | | | | of language discrimination. |
| society. | | | | |