Complaints about foreigners not speaking Lithuanian while providing services have increased, with many focusing on areas such as courier, transportation, and personal care services.
The head of the State Language Inspectorate (VKI), Audrius Valotka, reported that there has been a notable increase in complaints regarding the failure of foreigners to communicate in Lithuanian during service provision. The most frequent complaints stem from sectors such as courier services, transportation, massage therapy, and hairdressing, where clientele express frustration over language barriers. The inspectorate operates by directly contacting the service providers after receiving complaints, urging them to present proof of their employee's proficiency in the state language.
Since January 1 of this year, amendments to the State Language Law, initiated by Conservative politician Dalia Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė, mandate that foreigners serving customers must speak Lithuanian. In instances, for example, where complaints are lodged against hairdressers, the inspectorate reaches out to the relevant salon to demand the submission of documentation confirming that the staff has passed the necessary language competency exams as per the regulations issued by the National Agency for Education.
The implications of these regulations highlight a growing sensitivity towards language and identity in Lithuania, especially as the country adapts to an increasing number of foreigners in various professions. The enforcement of the language law aims to ensure that the national culture and linguistic heritage are preserved, while also addressing the complexities of integration and communication within a diverse society.
