Let’s start by unpacking what we mean when we refer to an “American.” The term itself evokes the age-old question, “What’s in a name?” To answer that, I’d like to share a bit of my journey and perspective on the issue.
I grew up speaking Kikuyu—my first language. English, of course, was compulsory in school from the get-go, but practicing it outside the classroom? That was an entirely different ballgame. Politics often overshadowed practicality, and it wasn’t always considered proper to speak English, even when encouraged by teachers. But political correctness can’t always take precedence over what matters in day-to-day life.
In Kenya, many professionals—especially those with 16 or more years of formal education—can switch between at least three languages, depending on the environment. When I first entered the workforce in Nairobi, I found myself in a group that often stuck to our native Kikuyu. Comfort zones can be hard to break out of, especially when they align with the dominant culture at work. However, among those of us with a broader outlook, we had a golden rule: if you’re in a group of three or more people, speak the language everyone understands. Even if the topic doesn’t directly involve everyone, it’s simply the honorable thing to do.
That practice not only built trust but fostered inclusion—a win-win for workplace harmony. Still, not everyone followed this unwritten rule. After all, it was a gentleman’s agreement, grounded in trust and mutual respect, with no binding enforcement. Yet it set the tone for how workplace dynamics could thrive when language isn’t wielded as a tool of exclusion.
Fast forward to my new life in Canada as a skilled immigrant. To my amazement, here you were paid—yes, paid—to speak English. But over the past 20 years, much has changed. In Canada today, English has become more of a “nice-to-have” skill, rather than the golden key that opens every door. There’s a shift, and it’s palpable.
Now, let’s turn our focus to the term “American.” In my first paid job in Canada, I provided technical support to English speakers across North America. Interestingly, the highest paychecks went to those who were bilingual in English and French—even if they spent much of their time with nothing to do! Naturally, I wanted in on that club. Learning French became a personal goal, fueled by ambition.
During that time, the bilinguals, to while away their time, often exchanged jokes, and here’s one that stood out:
“What do you call someone who speaks three languages?”
“Tri-lingual!”
“And someone who speaks two?”
“Bi-lingual.”
“What about someone who speaks only one?”
“An American!”
Now that we’ve had a bit of fun defining what constitutes an “American,” let’s dive deeper into the heart of the question in Part 2: is the Canadian workplace truly a hostile environment for Americans?