Linguistic resources and strategies used in multilingual communication in HIV/AIDS care centres in Lesotho
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Department of General Linguistics
Abstract
This paper gives a description of multilingual practices in two HIV-care centres in Lesotho on
the basis of interviews with both health care providers and some patients who make use of the
services of these centres. It considers the importance of effective linguistic communication in
HIV-care and the hazards posed to such communication when physicians do not share the first
language of the patients and of others working in these health care facilities. It gives the insights
gained in a recent study on the kinds of interventions developed to facilitate communication in
such multilingual institutional settings. In one of the centres informal interpreters are appointed
to assist in transfer of information during consultations; in the second centre interpreting is only
casually available from bilingual staff members. Besides interpreting, participants reported
engaging in a number of other mediating practices. Evidence gained from informal interpreting
studies elsewhere suggests that more than literal translation is required to achieve the kind of
communicative success that will ensure quality in the health care provided to a vulnerable
community. This study agrees with such findings and has generated a number of suggestions for
improving the management of the linguistic diversity in communication within such clinics. The
paper focuses on the specific resources provided in the healthcare centres and on the strategies
participants use to enhance medical communication.
Description
CITATION: Sobane, K. & Anthonissen, C. 2013. Linguistic resources and strategies used in multilingual communication in HIV/AIDS care centres in Lesotho. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus, Vol. 42:263-280,
doi:10.5774/42-0-173.
The original publication is available at http://spilplus.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://spilplus.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Multilingualism, HIV/AIDS, Informal interpreting, Communicative resources, HIV -- Care centres -- Lesotho
Citation
Sobane, K. & Anthonissen, C. 2013. Linguistic resources and strategies used in multilingual communication in HIV/AIDS care centres in Lesotho. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus, Vol. 42:263-280,
doi:10.5774/42-0-173.