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Part of
The Dynamics of English in Namibia: Perspectives on an emerging variety
Edited by Anne Schröder
[Varieties of English Around the World G65] 2021
► pp. 63–82

Chapter 4
English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare

Communicative experiences of expatriate healthcare providers in Windhoek

| University of Namibia

This chapter investigates the role of English in the communicative practices among multilingual participants in healthcare in Windhoek, Namibia, from the perspective of expatriate healthcare practitioners working in the private sector. It provides insights into the use of English in Namibia and informs about the multilingual communicative resources and needs from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs). The chapter illustrates that expatriate multilingual HCPs, working in a multilingual context, find the linguistic diversity at their workplace both challenging and enriching. They experience the use of English and many other languages to be an engagement that broadens their professional, social, and cultural views and this ultimately results in improved work relations and improved HCP-patient relationships.

Keywords: Namibian English, healthcare, multilingual workplace
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The use of English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare
  • 3.Research design and methodology
  • 4.Findings of the study
    • 4.1Linguistic biographies and repertoires of HCPs in Windhoek
    • 4.2Knowledge and use of languages including English
    • 4.3Sex, age, and employment history
    • 4.4Age and place of language acquisition of HCPs in Windhoek
    • 4.5Language in the work place
    • 4.6Linguistic and communicative practices established by HCPs to facilitate the provision of quality healthcare
  • 5.Summary and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
  • Appendix
Published online: 10 September 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g65.04mla
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