CAPÍTULO II: FORMAS DEL RECONOCIMIENTO
1. Acumulación de reglas sobre capacidad
ad an
underly t set is
covered nd
non-mbolic reasons relating to the organisation as well as non-synon-mbolic
English ad was placed because the organisation and the target group was international (non-symbolic reasons).
• ure of
lish language’, links both symbol and non-symbolic reasons relating to the organisation and the target g
• n all-English ad was placed to indicate that English was the t was t group to have good English communication ills (symbolic reasons).
The organisation wished to reach an international target group in addition to Dutch candidates (a non-symbolic target-group-related reason).
Two sets of reasons were considered dominant because they h ing concept in common that related to various entities. The firs by the concept of ‘internationality’, which links symbolic a sy
reasons expressed in relation to the target group. The reasons concerned were the following:
• An
all-An all-English ad was placed to indicate the international nat the organisation and the job (symbolic reasons).
Another concept, ‘importance of the Eng ic
roup, and a non-symbolic reason relating to the sector of the organisation with the vacancy. The reasons concerned were the following:
• An all-English ad was placed because English was the language of communication in the organisation and because English was commonly used in the sector (non-symbolic reasons).
A
language of communication in the organisation, and that i important for the targe
sk
5.3.3.2 Reasons for the partly English ads
This section first presents the symbolic and then the non-symbolic reasons the interviewees gave for placing a partly English job advertisement. It ends by pointing out what reasons were dominant.
Chapter 5
Symbol reasons for the use of the partly English ads
The sym ents
mention ese ads are summarised in Table 5.7.
ic
bolic reasons for the use of the partly English job advertisem ed by the makers of th
Table 5.7. Number of interviewees who mentioned a particular symbolic reason for the use of a partly English job ad (n = 9)
Entity to which reason refers
Sender Organisation: No reasons mentioned -
Message Job
h terms 1 English terms indicate the job is more modern than when Dutch terms 1
glish terms make the ad more attractive than when Dutch terms are
used 1
Words
English terms sound better than Dutch terms 1
Receiver Target group: No reasons mentioned -
Sector: No reasons mentioned -
Context
Dutch Society: No reasons mentioned -
English terms indicate that job has more status than when Dutc are used
are used Text
En
Note. Since the interviewees could give as many reasons as they wanted, the number of reasons does not equal the number of interviewees.
As Table 5.7 shows, the symbolic reasons mentioned for the use of a partly English job ad related to the following three entities: job, text and words. The interviewees’ remarks regarding each of these will be discussed in more detail below. As is indicated in the table, each symbolic reason was given by only one respondent. In fact, as will be pointed out below, one particular individual was the source of a number of different reasons.
The use of English terms in Dutch job advertisements was not said to be motivated by symbolic concerns to do with the organisation that advertised the vacancy, such as a desire to enhance the organisation’s status.
The one interviewee who commented on such concerns stated that he did not believe companies use English terms in a job ad to give the organisation more status and that he certainly did not use them for that purpose himself.
158
Two symbolic reasons for the use of a partly English job ad were given which related to the job that was advertised. The first reason was that
d more status:
lly, t 't use it, i )
to indicate the general image-enhancing
effect of son related to th ffects
of the u the image of th
its mode
] here
’, that’s in the past. […] ‘human resource manager of these times.” (P2)
c reason that related to the text of the advertisement
was men uch terms wer aid to
make th n was adduced by
“track record”
stead of its Dutch equivalent ‘staat van dienst’ by remarking:
sh job ad was mention
and sexier:
a job with an English title ha
“You are slowly more and more pushed in that direction, rea o use English terminology, because the moment you don t may be seen more as a somewhat lower level or something.” (P9
While this reason could be said
English on the job advertised, a second rea e e se of English terms on a particular aspect of e job, i.e.
rnity:
“Because why don’t you put ‘Hoofd PZ’ [Head of Personnel ? Well, no one would apply. That’s history. They are hardly looked
for, ‘Hoofd PZ ’
is to say someone who’s
One symboli
tioned to explain the use of English terms. S e s e advertisement more attractive. This motivatio
the same respondent who remarked that an English job title indicated a job was modern. He explained the choice of the English phrase
in
“Yes, it must be persuasive, it must be attractive, such an ad. It must be fireworks” (P2)
One symbolic reason for the use of a partly Engli
ed that related to characteristics of the English words used compared to Dutch equivalents. English terms were said to sound better than their Dutch counterparts. Again, this was remarked by the same respondent who commented on the modernity of a job with an English job title and the favourable effect of the use of English terms on the text of the ad. He pointed out that English words were more appealing, more powerful,
Chapter 5
“Now, sometimes it reads … nice. It is sometimes a bit more owerful. […] sometimes it’s erm more appealing. Sexy it’s
e also commented negatively on the attractiveness of the Dutch alternative
nglish job advertis
p
sometimes called.” (P2)
H
‘staat van dienst’ for the phrase “track record” he used in the job ad he had placed, calling it dull [“suf”] and frumpy [“tuttig”].
Non-symbolic reasons for the use of the partly English job ads The non-symbolic reasons for the use of the partly E
ements mentioned by the makers of these ads are summarised in Table 5.8.
160
Table 5.8 reason for the u
. Number of interviewees who mentioned a particular non-symbolic se of a partly English job ad (n = 9)
Entity to which reason refers Organisation
English terms in ad are common in organisation 5 English terms in ad are common in international branches of
organisation 2
English is language of communication in organisation 2 ender
There was time pressure, so no time to turn English terms into 1
would attract attention to the ad 1
ter than Dutch equivalents 1 rm originate from English-speaking country 1 Message
cation know English 1 S
Dutch
Job: No reasons mentioned -
Text
English terms Words
English terms in ad have no Dutch equivalents 5 English formulations are more concise than Dutch formulations 3 English terms in ad are shor
Concept and te
Job title in English is gender-neutral while Dutch equivalents are
not 1
Target group Receiver
Target group is Dutch 1
Sector
English terms in ad are common in sector 7 Dutch society
English terms in ad are common in Dutch society 4 English terms are generally common in Dutch society 1 Context
All Dutch people with some edu
Note. Since the interviewees could give as many reasons as they wanted, the number of reason
he use of a par d to the following entities: the organisation with the vac the text of the advertisement, the words in the ad, the ad’s
s does not equal the number of interviewees.
As can seen in Table 5.8, the non-symbolic reasons given for t tly English ad relate
ancy,
target group, the sector to which the organisation belongs, and Dutch society. Each of these will be discussed in more detail below.
A number of non-symbolic organisational reasons were given for the use of a partly English ad. The first reason, mentioned by a majority of the respondents, was that the English terms in the ad were commonly used in the organisation where the vacancy was to be filled. A second, related reason was that the English terms in the ad were used in the organisation internationally, in branches of the organisation in various countries, to create
Chapter 5
international consistency. This reason was explained by one respondent as follows
We’re an international firm with clients worldwide and then at a
ob ad was that English was the language of communication in the organisation.
nglish
terms in ation
in gener n one
case, th as motivated by circumstances in the
organis ion at a particular time. The interviewee said that he was faced with a d
ormous pressure of time, before a deadline, so a number of things
ne non-symbolic text-related reason for the use of a partly English
job ad w g to one respondent, the use
f an English job title would attract attention to the advertisement.
tioned by e majority of respondents, was that there were no Dutch equivalents for the Eng
’Callcenter agent’ is a good term for that. If you were going to :
“
certain moment you’re going to conform to each other” (P8).
In another case, it was explained that the names used to refer to divisions of the organisation in the job ad were in English because the organisation’s head office was in Great Britain, and it decided that English names should be used for these divisions in various countries. A third organisational reason given for the use of English terminology in the j
All the reasons mentioned so far indicate that the use of E job ads was motivated by the use of such terms in the organis al. A final organisational reason given is not captured by this. I e use of English terms w
at
eadline, and therefore had no time to turn all the English terms into Dutch:
“Yes again, it was first in English, and went to Dutch, under en
are not very easy to translate quickly.” (P2).
O
as revealed by the interviews. Accordin o
Five non-symbolic reasons at word level were mentioned to explain the use of a partly English job advertisement. The first reason, men
th
lish terms used in the ad:
“
translate that, you'd almost not be able to work it out. You'd very quickly give a very specific translation. It can't be 'telefonische
162
verkoopmedewerker' [telephonic sales worker], because we do more than selling. It can't be that.” (P1).
The sec than a
potentia ince a Dutch formulation would require more words:
The third non-symbolic reason at word level was that the English word used
reasons for using it. It made the ad less xpensive, because it took up less space than the Dutch word, and its shortne
ad wanted to print at in bold, 'medewerker' would end about here and the
he fourth non-symbolic reason relating to characteristics of English as
opposed l,
wherea stated
that he ish job title including the word “manager” because Dutch alternatives he had considered either explicitly referred to a male person (“huismeester” [major domo]) or a female person (“huisdame”
[house lady]). The final non-symbolic reason for the use of English terms, mentioned by one respondent, was that the concept and the term originated from an English-speaking country:
ond reason was that an English formulation was more concise l Dutch equivalent, s
“And I wouldn't know a Dutch word for that [executive search], unless it would become a sentence.” (P8).
“Yes, that [‘direct reports’] a very brief …; in two words you say something that people understand and in Dutch you need many more words for that.” (P2).
in the ad was shorter than its Dutch equivalent. When asked to comment on 'callcenter medewerker' as an alternative for “callcenter agent”, the job title which was used in the ad he had placed, one respondent said the brevity of the word “agent” was one of the
e
ss also made it easier to read:
“'Medewerker' is fine, absolutely. Only if you h th
advertisement would be about twice as expensive. And it doesn't read as easily.” (P1).
T
to Dutch words was that an English job title was gender-neutra s its possible Dutch equivalents would not be. One interviewee used an Engl
Chapter 5
“The whole standard ‘Investor in People’ is an English invention.”
target-group-related reason was given for the use f a partly English job ad, i.e. that the target group was Dutch, since the
intervie
client a place a partly English and not an
all-knowle
relations and policies and about works councils and Dutch
jority of interviews to explain their use of a partly English ad. This reason was that English ich the organisation operates:
the standard terms that are used. It is unusual to talk about these sorts of things in Dutch.” (P4).
(P8).
as clear to applicants:
“And in the professional world everyone knows what ‘researcher’
a partly (P7)
One non-symbolic o
successful candidate should be familiar with the Dutch situation. One wee, who worked for a recruitment agency, pointed out that his nd himself had decided to
English ad, because they wanted a Dutch person for the job since it involved dge of Dutch labour relations and Dutch legislation:
“They were looking for a Dutch person. Because it is about labour
legislation. And that is complex and a foreigner does not understand that at all.” (P2).
One non-symbolic reason to do with the sector or field of the organisation with the vacancy was mentioned by the ma
terms were commonly used in the sector in wh
“Because these are
“This is the jargon of the profession”
Some of the respondents who gave this reason added that because the English term was common in the sector, it w
is” (P8).
Three non-symbolic reasons that were to do with language use in Dutch society generally were mentioned to explain the use of
164
English job ad. The first reason, cited by a number of interviewees, was that the English terms in the ads were in common use in Dutch society:
espondents who gave this reason further remarked that becaus
the Eng od
knows w important consideration for him:
y is me.” (P1).
A secon he language situation in the Netherlands, at all Dutch people with som
A final
ion … everything these days is a reat deal of English of course. And there's really no escaping it.”
“‘job’ is again such a word that is so naturalised [ingeburgerd] in Dutch by now.” (P6).
One of the r e
lish terms used in the ad have become commonly used, everyb an
y hat they mean, which was
“The main thing is, I think, that it is settled [vastgeroeste]
terminology, the terminology that is used […] everybody also knows what it means; familiarity with the terminolog important for
d reason to do with t
mentioned by one interviewee, was th e
education know some English at least, and, therefore, know what the English terms in the job ad mean:
“Because every Dutch person who's had some education knows something about English. They watch television and songs, so everyone knows what ‘track records’ is.” (P2).
reason relating to Dutch society, given by one interviewee, was that English terms are generally widely encountered in the Netherlands, and therefore there is no avoiding them in job ads:
“especially because on televis g
(P9).
Chapter 5
Dominant reasons for the use of a partly English ad
The foll ymbolic reasons given for the use of a partly English job advertisement were considered dominant because they were mentioned by a majority
• here were no Dutch equivalents for the English terms that were
• were commonly used in the sector in which the organisation operated (a non-symbolic contextual motivation).
A number of non-symbolic reasons for the use of a partly English job adv
5.3.3.3 Reas
ymbolic reasons for the use of the all-Dutch ads
The sy ments
mention rs of these ads are summarised in Table 5.9.
owing non-s
of interviewees:
• The English terms in the ad were commonly used in the organisation where the vacancy was to be filled (a non-symbolic organisational motivation).
T
used in the ad (a non-symbolic word-related motivation).
English terms
ertisement were considered dominant because they were linked by the underlying concept of ‘common usage’ in relation to various entities:
organisation, sector and Dutch society. English terms were said to be used in job ads because they were commonly used
• in the organisation with the vacancy;
• in the sector to which the organisation belongs;
• in Dutch society.
ons for the all-Dutch ads
This section first presents the symbolic and then the non-symbolic reasons the interviewees gave for placing an all-Dutch job advertisement. It ends by pointing out what reasons were dominant.
S
mbolic reasons for the use of the all-Dutch job advertise ed by the make
166
Table 5.9. Number of interviewees who mentioned a particular symbolic reason for the use of an all-Dutch job ad (n = 8)
Entity to which reason refers Organisation
All-Dutch ad indicates that the organisation is Dutch, not internationa oriented or English
All-Dutch ad indicates that the organisation is down to earth, without fuss, solid
lly 3 ender
3
ted but English terms would be 5 language and culture from
lish influence 3
All-Dutch ad does not suggest that position is higher than it actually is
unlike use of English terms in ad 1
Text: No reasons mentioned -
Words
Dutch terms in ad are not exaggera of Dutch terms in ad to protect Dutch Use
Eng
Dutch terms in ad sound better than English terms Target group
All-Dutch ad signals importance of good communication skills in Du All-Dutch ad is more appealing to down-to-earth t
containing English terms
Sector: No reasons mentioned -
Context
Dutch Society: No reasons mentioned -
Note. Since the interviewees could give as many reasons as they wanted, the number of reasons does not equal the number of interviewees.
g an
all-Dutc th the
vacancy group.
Each of
vertisement was said to express two sorts of characteristics of the organisation where the vacancy was to be filled. First of all, some interviewees said that the use of an all-Dutch
tch company, not
not internationally oriented, and that we're also proud of that.”
(D6).
Secondly, some interviewees mentioned that the use of an all-Dutch ad signalled the organisation was down-to-earth and solid:
Table 5.9 shows that the symbolic reasons mentioned for placin h ad related to the following elements: the organisation wi , the job advertised, the words in the ad, and the ad’s target these will be discussed in more detail below.
The use of an all-Dutch job ad
advertisement signalled the company was a Du internationally oriented or English:
“I hope that we send out the signal that we're a Dutch company,
Chapter 5
“There’s also something in it like ‘don’t exaggerate’ [gewoon
ain ked abou
the reas r’ instead of “contractbeheerder” i
the ad she placed, one r tle would suggest
that the
By impl f th
bolic reasons at word level fo
using a ther than an ad that contained
nglish word instead of a Dutch word would be exaggerated. For instance,
nglish word instead of a Dutch word would be exaggerated. For instance,