language requirement

1) There is no official language in the US. Until that happens, there will be no requirement for all people to speak or adapt to a specific language

2) The requirement or strong preference for staff to speak a certain language is out of cultural sensitivity to the clientele. It's only a GOOD thing if we can actually deliver healthcare and teaching to our pts in the language they understand.

Thank you klone, I wish we could clone you. You have said it all, maybe we should close the discussion now!!!!!!

Thank you klone, I wish we could clone you. You have said it all, maybe we should close the discussion now!!!!!!

Wow, thanks. :-)

We have a translator service that helps. You call the service and can put the pt/parent/client whatever on speaker phone. The interpretation is done for you.

We have a lot of Spanish speaking people in our area as well as others due to a University. I'm just too old to pick up a second language. I'm lucky to speak a few words of Spanish.

A lot of people, including physicians think it's a hassle to use the service, but when I want to get my point across or my teaching I do it.

I'm learning Spanish right now, as I feel I need it. I speak a couple of languages, but nothing useful in my area (other than English).

I guess I don't look at is as "whether they should learn the language or not" sort of situation. It's a *fact* that a lot of people in my area are Spanish speakers who don't speak adequate English for whatever reason. Just like it's a *fact* that a lot of my patients are chronic COPDers who smoke. Or are diabetics who don't manage their sugars well. *shrug* I continue to provide care for those people, who don't do some very simple modifications to alleviate or avoid their health problems, their choice. Why should I be angry about the Spanish speakers who, for whatever reason (choice or no) don't speak English?

The predominant language spoken by patient need, determines the predominant language requirement of the staff.

This is true worldwide.

What we are seeing here with this issue in the U.S., is a struggle of ethnic identity disguised as a communication issue.

1) There is no official language in the US. Until that happens, there will be no requirement for all people to speak or adapt to a specific language

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My reply to this quote was in error

Deleted, as the previous post was in error

:)

From my experience, with someone who speaks the language who works in the medical field, it also build trust with client. Clients are able to ask questions so they can fully understand what is going on, etc.

See post # 7

So you're arguing that English is, in fact, the official language of the US? It is not. There *is* no official language, regardless of whatever language the citizenship exam is in.

Several states have declared or even had public elections to make English the official language of the state. But, true, the U.S. as a country does not state English as the official language.

However, the USCIS states there is an English language requirement but there are exceptions made for the Civics test if one qualifies to test in their native language.

There are hospitals that openly advertise for bilingual health care providers of all types. They generally word it as "preferred" but given the area it is understood that means required. I have worked several shifts without speaking English to either staff or patients.

To me it seems like facilities do this to limit confusion or deliver the most effective care. It is often so much safer and easier to communicate to someone in their native language. I am on my way to being bilingual. I am a little bit more than an intermediate Spanish student, but not neccessarily fluent yet. I think it is nice extra for a staff member to be bilingual, but I don't feel it should required, right now at least. Some places desire the bilingual trait more than others.

Many people feel that since foreigners are in our country they should learn our language. While that would be in their best interest it's not going to happen with all of them. Also some may take longer to come to an efficient understanding of enlgish. I enjoy taking the time to learn a different language myself.

MY personal thought is that learning to speak another language is a way of me reachin out to my patient/client. Not that not knowing another language means you don't care, because it doesn't.

I think it would be a good Idea for all healthcare professionals to learn a basic intro in one or two foreign languages taht are predominate in their area. Just showing a client you took the time to do that can reassure them if their is a langauge barrier and they are scared and confused.