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The six languages of social work
1School of Social Work, Rutgers--State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903.
Social Work
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Social workers require fluency in six distinct languages to effectively serve clients. Multilingual proficiency ensures maximum effectiveness and humane practice in social work.
Area of Science:
- Social Work
- Communication Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Effective social work practice necessitates clear communication across diverse linguistic domains.
- Bridging the gap between clients, professionals, and research is crucial for service delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe the essential languages social workers must master.
- To advocate for multilingual and translingual proficiency in social work education and practice.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of communication requirements in social work.
- Literature review on linguistic diversity in professional helping contexts.
Main Results:
- Identified six key languages: client lay language, theoretical abstraction, research (quantitative/empirical), information science categorization, professional jargon, and value-laden preferential language.
- Emphasized the need for rapid, fluid transitions between these linguistic modes.
Conclusions:
- Multilingual and translingual competence is fundamental for scientifically minded and practice-competent social workers.
- Proficiency in diverse communication forms enhances social work effectiveness and promotes humane service delivery.