Expats.cz: Language exclusion hurts: How to join the conversation in the Czech office

For English-speaking expats working in Czechia, language can be more than a barrier; it can be a reason for feeling isolated, particularly in a workplace where Czech is the primary language. While many companies today promote diversity and inclusion, unintentional language exclusion remains common.

If social media trends are any indication, language exclusion—sometimes called language discrimination—is a common concern for foreign nationals living in Prague. Many have voiced their frustrations on local Facebook groups, with some questioning whether this issue is specific to Czechia or part of a broader trend in their workplaces.

Language exclusion can hinder social integration and workplace dynamics for non-Czech speakers, from being overlooked at conferences to feeling sidelined during lunch conversations when colleagues refuse to speak English. According to Dinah Spritzer, a Prague-based communication consultant focusing on diversity and intercultural dialogue, there are steps you can take to address it.