Getting interviewed in "good" proficiency language

[and 99 others]

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I marked 2 languages on AMCAS as good, one of which is Arabic. I have decent skills at a specific dialect of arabic and the thing about arabic is that the different dialects are REALLY different, to the point that some consider them a separate language. Point being, I definitely cannot hold a conversation in arabic outside of the dialect that I learned informally, and I don't speak the standardized form.

Do interviewers often try to interview applicants in languages that they mark as "good" because if so, I couldn't hold a conversation outside of my dialect and those that come from my region are not common in America. Furthermore, I definitely cannot explain my research experiences in either of the languages that I marked as "good." So I am kind of freaking out about these possibilities.

 

[907914]

I marked 2 languages on AMCAS as good, one of which is Arabic. I have decent skills at a specific dialect of arabic and the thing about arabic is that the different dialects are REALLY different, to the point that some consider them a separate language. Point being, I definitely cannot hold a conversation in arabic outside of the dialect that I learned informally, and I don't speak the standardized form.

Do interviewers often try to interview applicants in languages that they mark as "good" because if so, I couldn't hold a conversation outside of my dialect and those that come from my region are not common in America. Furthermore, I definitely cannot explain my research experiences in either of the languages that I marked as "good." So I am kind of freaking out about these possibilities.

Definitely know what you mean with the different dialects (I only ever learned MSA, but there are....like... a lot of different dialects).

If the application only allowed you to mark Arabic and the interviewers truly wanted to grill you on your language skills, my best guess would be that anyone who is fluent enough in Arabic to interview you in it will likely also be aware of the variance in dialects. If your application points in the direction of a particular dialect, then you should be able to comfortably assume that dialect will be present. If your application does not point towards a particular dialect, then you likely will not have to worry about it as anyone knowledgeable enough to hold an interview would be aware of these variants.

If it comes down to it and the 'wrong' dialect is used towards you, pick out what you can and respond in what you know (or MSA if you happen to know it? Although, your own dialect is likely the better choice). And then simply state you only speak that dialect.

*Note, this is how I would approach it. @gyngyn @gonnif @Goro @LizzyM y'all got anything for OP?

 

[Catalystik]

I definitely cannot explain my research experiences in either of the languages that I marked as "good." So I am kind of freaking out about these possibilities.

Conversational fluency and scientific fluency are two separate capabilities. IMO, it's always acceptable to switch to English to discuss your research, even if your language capability is better than "good."

 

[and 99 others]

Conversational fluency and scientific fluency are two separate capabilities. IMO, it's always acceptable to switch to English to discuss your research, even if your language capability is better than "good."

That's a relief to hear.

In your experience, is it common to be asked to speak in general with "good" languages? Or is it expected that this wouldn't yield good answers during an interview?

 

[Catalystik]

In your experience, is it common to be asked to speak in general with "good" languages? Or is it expected that this wouldn't yield good answers during an interview?

In general, you might be asked enough to validate your polite conversational skill ability, but it would be rare for the conversation to continue in that language for very long. Even if you are very fluent, it's more important to demonstrate your English communication skills.

 

[and 99 others]

In general, you might be asked enough to validate your polite conversational skill ability, but it would be rare for the conversation to continue in that language for very long. Even if you are very fluent, it's more important to demonstrate your English communication skills.

That's a relief. Better brush up on my pleasantries

 

[Goro]

I marked 2 languages on AMCAS as good, one of which is Arabic. I have decent skills at a specific dialect of arabic and the thing about arabic is that the different dialects are REALLY different, to the point that some consider them a separate language. Point being, I definitely cannot hold a conversation in arabic outside of the dialect that I learned informally, and I don't speak the standardized form.

Do interviewers often try to interview applicants in languages that they mark as "good" because if so, I couldn't hold a conversation outside of my dialect and those that come from my region are not common in America. Furthermore, I definitely cannot explain my research experiences in either of the languages that I marked as "good." So I am kind of freaking out about these possibilities.

I wouldn't say that it's often, but I've seen it happen with people who marked off that they know Spanish, and a Spanish speaking colleague asked them something in Spanish.

So year, you checked the box, it's now fair game, if you have an Arabic speaking interviewer.

But schill, no one is going to ask you about your research in a different language. It will be some sort of pleasantry.

 

[JeSuisUnDoc]

I also speak one regional Arabic which really isn’t Arabic more like a koiné. My Classical Arabic is rusty but any other dialectal Arabic I cannot understand.
Point is, they should know about that.

 

[and 99 others]

I also speak one regional Arabic which really isn’t Arabic more like a koiné. My Classical Arabic is rusty but any other dialectal Arabic I cannot understand.
Point is, they should know about that.

My worry is that they will assume that I understand MSA, which I don't, and just try to go with that, since AMCAS doesn't distinguish between dialects

 

[sadpremed121]

So i took spanish up until last semester. When I was filling out my primary I marked good because I was also preparing for my Spanish final and that’s how I felt at the time. However I haven’t used my Spanish the past few months and I’m worried they’re gonna test me on it.

 

[imbesrs]

My worry is that they will assume that I understand MSA, which I don't, and just try to go with that, since AMCAS doesn't distinguish between dialects

You could respond in a different dialect after recognizing theyre tryna talk to you in arabic and say "Do you know this dialect by chance" in the dialect youre looking for or something.

Really hope people ask me about my French lol

 

[907914]

My worry is that they will assume that I understand MSA, which I don't, and just try to go with that, since AMCAS doesn't distinguish between dialects

You should trip them up with multiple languages in your response:

“Shukran, pero no hablo Modern Standard Arabic”

 

[and 99 others]

You could respond in a different dialect after recognizing theyre tryna talk to you in arabic and say "Do you know this dialect by chance" in the dialect youre looking for or something.

Really hope people ask me about my French lol

You should trip them up with multiple languages in your response:

“Shukran, pero no hablo Modern Standard Arabic”

The problem is that if they are speaking a dialect I don't recognize, idk if it is actually a different dialect or if they are using my dialect and they are just saying things that I don't understand, since I am far from fluent. From my app it's clear which dialect I likely speak so it would be embarrassing if they spoke my dialect with me and I didn't recognize it.

 

[imbesrs]

The problem is that if they are speaking a dialect I don't recognize, idk if it is actually a different dialect or if they are using my dialect and they are just saying things that I don't understand, since I am far from fluent. From my app it's clear which dialect I likely speak so it would be embarrassing if they spoke my dialect with me and I didn't recognize it.

I think the practicality of the situation is that they are not going to interview you entirely in the language. They wont ask you about research, academics, and stuff in the language. Assuming you look a bit from the region of whos language you say you know. IE if youre speaking arabic you dont look like a mormon, that theyre likely to believe you by default. I imagine that if they were to quiz your app, they would say something very casual to start with. "Hi how are you" or something and the quick conversation would run as far as your speaking limits

 

[Catalystik]

So i took spanish up until last semester. When I was filling out my primary I marked good because I was also preparing for my Spanish final and that’s how I felt at the time. However I haven’t used my Spanish the past few months and I’m worried they’re gonna test me on it.

Time to start watching Spanish-language TV channels to brush up on your comprehension?

 

[Cornfed101]

IE if youre speaking arabic you dont look like a mormon

Unfortunately, they won’t be able to pick this out at an interview because everyone will be in a suit... if you mean white and speaking a language that doesn’t seem to fit, I’ll buy that 🙂hello🙂

 

[JeSuisUnDoc]

You're overthinking it. There are words that are common like: I don't understand egyptian lol. La afham masri for classical or manafhamch masri for north african, or mabifhim masri for middle eastern. If you say any of this, wherever you're from they will get it. It is more the actual conversation where people can't keep up.
Saying oops I only understand syrian or whatever, they will get what you mean.