Figure 9.1 U.S. population by race and relative number of Title VII language-focused
complaints tried, 1972–1994. (Figures rounded. “Hispanic” may be any race)
Source: U.S. Census 1990
Discrimination in the Workplace
In an excellent study of language and discrimination in the workplace in
Great Britain, Roberts, Davies and Jupp (1992) provide numerous
examples of discrimination focused on language, and directed toward
ethnic and racial minorities. No such systematic and well-documented
study exists for workers in the United States. The evidence of
discrimination provided here is limited to specific instances which have
found their way into the legal system and represents what is most likely a
very small fraction of the whole.
Here the discussion is based on 25 language-focused national origin
discrimination cases that were heard in the federal and state courts and by
the EEOC between 1972 and 1993, with exceptions as noted.^7 More recent
cases are brought into the discussion, but they are not included in any