Q&A: Can Spanish speakers from different countries understand each other?

January 28, 2010

Q: My organization is looking for a bilingual customer service representative to help our Spanish speaking customers worldwide.  Can a person who speaks Spanish communicate with all other Spanish speaking people, regardless of their country of origin?  Thanks. Yours truly, Susan

A: This is a great question because I’ve heard it many times, and the answer is YES.  While both people will be able to communicate with each other, there may be certain words that are spoken differently in their respected countries.  If this occurs, they will be able to discuss the differences to help ensure that they understand one another clearly.  It’s great that your company is expanding their bilingual staff.  You may be interested in reading more about how bilingual employees are an advantage to your business.

Filed under: Recruiting/Hiring

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  • 1. Lynn Arledge  |  April 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    Mylene,

    I know you just barely from Gate City Vineyard. I usually sit at the back right facing the stage. I am speaking of the table and chairs area, but if you were there today, I was on the second to the last row in the right side of the connected chairs. I do not remember seeing you there today. Gorge from the U.K. and I have become close acquaintances and are on our way soon I hope to becoming friends for evermore. She told me about your business and I thought that maybe you could aid me in my search for a career. I am going to send you a resume. I am not bi-lingual but I did study French way back when…I am now in my early 50’s.

    Please let me know when you can meet up with me this week.

    Sincerely,
    Lynn Arledge

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About the Author

Mylene Duffy is the founder of the Bilingual Job Fair. She has hired many professionals over the course of her career, and is an advocate for bilingual employment. Mylene did not speak English when she came to live in the States in the early 80’s. She took an intensive English course and enrolled at Syracuse University, where she graduated with a degree in communications. She is now proud to be fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

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