Disadvantages of speaking on the phone for English as a foreign language migrants

What is it about?

A semiotic resource is a thing or an object that helps make communication clearer and more effective, such as facial expressions and gestures, or objects such as computers, whiteboards, or phones. Existing research highlights the advantages that semiotic resources have for communicating and relationship building. However, what is discussed less is that not all semiotic resources are equal in their ability to enhance communication. This article examines whether mobile phones enable English as a Foreign Language migrants to effectively communicate, particularly for service situations regarding finances where they often have to speak in English with unknown interlocutors. In these encounters, two experiences that EFL migrants may face can increase their difficulty in speaking on the phone – (1) linguistic superiority, where they are judged by their English speaking interlocutor as engaging in inferior English practices, and (2) paralinguistic insufficiency, where the lack of gestures and facial expressions available over the phone inhibits their ability to communicate. These two elements make telephone conversations difficult for many EFL migrants, impacting their ability to effectively communicate. This can result in negative outcomes such as avoidance behaviors, and feelings of anxiety and disempowerment. Such difficulties lead to the finding that EFL migrants must be better accommodated when engaging in service transactions, with other resources required to better aid their understanding and ease feelings of anxiety.

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Why is it important?

This article explains how a common institutional communicative practice (speaking on the phone) can disadvantage people who have diverse linguistic resources. These people may be discriminated against for speaking English with an accent, or may face increased communicative barriers with institutional representatives because they cannot rely on gestures and facial expressions to help them in their interactions over the phone. This is worth examining and critiquing so we can understand one aspect of how English as a foreign language migrants may face systemic disadvantage. It is also worth examining to understand how this form of communication may undermine their ability to effectively function in society.

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