The French Disconnection
I work at a company that has over three hundred sites globally. I work in the only plant in the UK (we have twenty-two people working here). I was asked to join a call with our other European sites, as I also speak German fluently, and can understand/speak Italian to a level about the industry I work in.
We have this call, and we have English (me), Greek, Turkish, Romanian, Italian, German, Spanish, and French in the meeting. Everyone can speak English, but for the Italian and German, it is broken English, hence why it’s easier for me to be on it and translate, if they struggle understanding anything in English.
We go about the meeting, and the German starts talking to me in German. I’m translating, and it’s all going well. We all know each other well, as we have regularly visited each other’s plants.
Apart from France, they have a new woman, who keeps trying to be the centre of attention.
She’s been speaking fluent English all through the call so far. I’m translating for German and Italian; it’s all going well. Until she starts speaking French.
Me: “I don’t know French.
It’s already confusing enough with three languages!
French Manager: “What do you mean? You’re the translator!”
Me: “No, I’m a chemist, I know German fluently, and Italian to a level that’s relevant to this call.”
French Manager: “Well, why are you making me speak a second language, but learning everyone else’s!?
Me: “I’m doing the company a favour, otherwise they would have to get a translator.”
French Manager: “Oh, I get it, it’s because I’m new and a woman.”
Me: “I’m also a woman, and no, I just never learnt French.”
French Manager: “Oh, so it’s a race thing now?!”
Me: “You speak English, you don’t need it to be translated, or it to be all about you.”
She hung up. The next day, she reported me to HR for racism and bullying. I don’t think she realised that the call was recorded, so I sent a copy to HR.
Unfortunately, at my company, you have a six-month probation (this happened at three months of her being here), and throwing out stupid accusations like this means you’re probably not going to make it.
