From June 3, 1998 Scientific Directors Meeting Minutes
In order to ensure the safety and efficiency of NIH
laboratories, and to optimize training of staff, all work-related
conversations should be in English. If all those present in the
laboratory are fluent in another language, that language may be used
for work-related conversations. Further, all official written
documents should be in English, for example, publications, laboratory
notebooks, e-mail that will be retained in an official file, letters,
and memoranda. Personal communications unrelated to the work of the
laboratory may be made in any language.
Dr. Gottesman described instances in NIH laboratories when a
language other than English is used and possible
problems that arise, if all in the laboratory do not understand that
language. Therefore, a policy was proposed on
the use of English for official scientific communication in NIH
laboratories. Dr. Gottesman emphasized that the policy
applies only to communications for official business. The Scientific
Directors noted the need for an exception to the policy for the
writing of book chapters in a foreign language and for communication
with scientists in other countries, but they did not otherwise find
this proposed policy to be problematic. Dr. Birkedal-Hansen noted the
overriding issue of courtesy in some cases where foreign languages
are spoken.