Nathalie Prudencio

Comm 1270
Ashley Givens
05/02/22

Oral Argument Transcript

We all speak at least one language, but with the internet, travel, and applications we need to be
able to talk to each other through multiple languages.
Thesis Statement: It is important for people to learn another language to grow as a person and be
more employable.
Body:
Less Tolerance
People here in the U.S. experience more privilege by knowing English. However, when it comes
to making relationships with people from different cultures or language backgrounds, it makes it
hard to develop that connection. Including making friendships that can help make it easier to try
to understand and be more tolerant or accepting of their culture.
For example, if a person is approaching you at work and you are doing some training videos for
that job and your coworker feels disrespected because you tell her to “chill” while you are doing
training videos because you wanted to help clean the kiosk later once you are out of their way
where you work so be valuable and improve that can show a person who has less tolerance who
is adding her own meaning to a word which was imply more in a friendly manner saying I got
this I will do the training videos, but I also want to help or move from the computer if needed to
speed up since the manager will be visiting the stores.
Benefits:
One of the benefits is that being multilingual can make a person more tolerant. For instance,
when a person is relating with people from other countries instead of being (less tolerant) and
don’t nourish these multicultural relationships.
Another example is found in an article, “multilingualism “where according to J. M. Dewaele
mono and bilingual people presented a lower amount of TA (tolerance of Ambiguity) Tolerance
of Ambiguity concerns an individual’s reactions to other people and cultures, and their perceived
difference. However, when a person acquires knowledge in knowing various languages, they
usually tend to have higher scores in TA.
Another benefit is the higher paying jobs that can come along with this skill. In the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics shows a median pay for customer services roles for bilingual people which
start paying approximately $17.75 per hour. (1st quadrant) the pay for translators and interpreters
is approximately $ 25.16 per hour with a bachelors’ degree. (1st quadrant) In a result for social
workers in the rehabilitation services industry with a median pay of $ 20.22 per hour
approximately. (4th quadrant)
Last benefit is to fulfill the job market requirements According to “The New American
Economy,” which is a leading immigration research and advocacy organization based in New
York City there has been a higher demand for bilingual people in the market in the United States.
The study was conducted by Burning Glass Technologies a leading labor market analytics that
searches about 40,000 jobs daily. Over the past five years, the demand for bilingual has doubled.
In 2010, there were roughly 240,000 jobs aimed at bilingual workers, by 2015 that figure
ballooned to approximately 630,000. In 2015 a study found that 60 percent of employers seek
bilingual workers who can work for both low-and high-skilled positions. For instance, a position
without the requirements of a bachelor’s degree like a sales representative or a translator at a
hospital versus the high-prestige jobs were financial managers, editors, and industrial engineers
are more targeted.
In conclusion, it is helpful and beneficial to learn a new language even if it means striking a
conversation while at work or putting subtitles while watching a movie for the fact that it can
increase your level of tolerance (be more tolerant), get you a higher paying job and to fulfill the
job market requirements and possibly put you ahead to get a better position when it comes to
work. The change starts with us to raise the standard and become more proactive for our own
benefits as well which can pay off even after you graduate.
References:

21-1029 social workers, all other. (2022, March 31). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211029.htm

Demand for bilingual workers more than doubled in 5 years, New Report shows. (2018,

September 20). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/pressrelease/demand-for-bilingual-workers-more-

than-doubled-in-5-years-new-report-shows/.

Dewaele, J., & Wei, L. (2012, October 09). Is multilingualism linked to a higher tolerance of

ambiguity?*: Bilingualism: Language and cognition. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bilingualism-language-and-cognition/article/

abs/is-multilingualism-linked-to-a-higher-tolerance-of-ambiguity/

2C909C4C33BB214F162367B713B9CD7B

Home : Occupational outlook handbook. (2021, September 15). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/officeand-administrative-support/customer-service-

representatives.htm.

Home : Occupational outlook handbook. (2022, April 18). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/mediaand-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm.