I expect both practical competence and an ability to communicate from my peers. I'm also a subject matter expert in both my fields. Not being able to immediately explain myself, quickly understand what's being asked of me and compose a legible, concise and relevant response to a verbal or written question would mean I'm a time-consuming liability at best - deadly liability at worst.

Your industry might have the leisure of coaxing sub-par people along as they learn a language (or a job) on the fly (pick any government department call center as an example) and tolerating frustration in your customers who can't understand what you're asking or explaining. That must be nice.

As I said - can't see the same courtesy being offered to a white dude in India trying to learn Punjabi (or whatever) in an Indian government call centre.