English, status and the confidence to speak

Working in security means understanding people. That includes understanding what speaking English means to someone who grew up in a different culture.

Travelling through Italy, France and Germany, I noticed people who seemed comfortable telling me they did not speak English. It made me think about the relationship many of us in South Asia have with the language.

In my experience of Pakistan, English carries status. Colonial history forms part of that relationship. How someone speaks English can influence how others judge their education, background and ability. I have seen people laughed at for getting their grammar wrong. That stays with you.

I cannot speak Italian or Arabic, and I am comfortable admitting it. Someone who struggles with English in Pakistan may feel something quite different: embarrassment, or a fear of being judged.

That matters when people come to the UK and work in security.

I often hear someone described as a “poor-quality security officer”. I want to understand what that means. Are they unreliable? Do they lack judgement? Have they missed something important? Or do they struggle to express themselves confidently in English?

Those are different things, and each needs a different response.

A person may explain a situation clearly in their own language and struggle to find the words in English. Their English fluency tells us something about their ability to communicate in English. Their intelligence, judgement and commitment need their own assessment.

Some people have studied English, can read it and can write it, yet hesitate when speaking. On a radio, everyone can hear them. If they expect people to laugh at their grammar or pronunciation, they may become even more hesitant.

Now add pressure. Something has happened. They need to report it quickly. They are trying to understand the situation, choose the right words and avoid making a mistake, all at once.

When I was building OnSiren, I kept this in mind. We built a feature that lets an officer speak in their own language and converts their message into English in real time.

The aim is to help them communicate with confidence, particularly under pressure. Translation still needs to preserve the meaning accurately, and critical messages need confirmation that they have been understood.

I hope this helps the industry recognise ability that can otherwise be obscured by hesitation.

Cultural understanding should influence the tools we build and the way we manage people. If we understand why someone is afraid to speak, we have a better chance of helping them contribute.

When an officer needs to speak, I want them to feel confident that their message will be heard and understood.