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Language brokering in multilingual caregiving settings
Gunilla Jansson1, Cecilia Wadensjö1
1Stockholm University.
Communication & Medicine
|June 30, 2018
Summary
Caregivers in residential homes can act as language brokers to improve communication with elderly residents. This practice helps maintain conversations and address resident concerns in multilingual settings.
Area of Science:
- Sociolinguistics
- Healthcare Communication
- Conversation Analysis
Background:
- Multilingual staff in care settings face communication challenges.
- Elderly residents may have diverse linguistic backgrounds.
- Effective communication is crucial for quality care and resident well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the practice of language brokering in elder care.
- To analyze how language brokering facilitates shared understanding.
- To explore the role of language brokering in managing conversations and resident complaints.
Main Methods:
- Conversation analysis of audio-recorded multi-party interactions.
- Examination of interactions between a Swedish-/Farsi-speaking resident and multilingual staff.
- Focus on caregiving scenarios involving personal hygiene assistance.
Main Results:
- Language brokering by caregivers helps maintain conversational flow during small talk.
- Caregivers use language brokering to effectively address resident complaints.
- This practice supports colleagues in client-oriented activities within linguistically asymmetrical environments.
Conclusions:
- Language brokering is a key strategy for multilingual staff in elder care.
- This practice enhances communication and understanding in diverse care settings.
- It contributes to improved client-oriented care by bridging language gaps.
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