Cover not available
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 NamibiaWindhoek
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
References (25)
References
Antia, Bassey E. & Bertin, Fankep D. A. 2004. Multilingualism and healthcare in Nigeria: A management perspective. Communication and Medicine 1(2): 107–117. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Bischoff, Alexander & Denhaerynck, Kris. 2010. What do language barriers cost? An exploratory study among asylum seekers in Switzerland. BMC Health Services Research 10: 248. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Deumert, Ana. 2011. Multilingualism. In The Cambridge Handbook of Sociolinguistics, Rajend Mesthrie (ed.), 261–282. Cambridge: CUP. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Frydman, Jenna. 2011. A critical analysis of Namibia’s English-only language policy. In Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Eyamba G. Bokamba (ed.), 178–189. Sommerville MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.Google Scholar
Gibson, DeWan & Zhong, Mei. 2005. Intercultural communication competence in the healthcare context. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 29(5): 621–634. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Giles, Howard, Coupland, Nikolas & Coupland, Justine. 1991. Accommodation theory: Communication, context, and consequence. In Contexts of Accommodation: Developments in Applied Sociolinguistics, Howard Giles, Nikolas Coupland & Justine Coupland (eds), 1–68. Cambridge: CUP. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Hadziabdic, Emina, Lundin, Christina & Hjem, Katarina. 2015. Boundaries and conditions of interpretation in multilingual and multicultural elderly healthcare. BMC Health Services Research 15: 458. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Meeuwesen, Ludwein, Twilt, Sion, Jan Thihe D ten & Harmsen Hans. 2009. Patient education and counselling “Ne diyor?” (What does she say?): Informal interpreting in general practice. Patient Education and Counselling 81(2):198–203. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Health Reporter. 2013. Expatriate doctors abandon state hospitals. Confidante May 30, 2013: 16.Google Scholar
Joubert, Georgina & Ehrlich, Rodney (eds). 2010. Epidemiology: A Research Manual for South Africa. Cape Town: OUP.Google Scholar
Kisting, Denver. 2011. 98% of teachers not fluent in English. The Namibian Newspaper (Economic news), 11 September.Google Scholar
MacFarlane, Anne, Glynn, Liam G., Mosinkie, Phillip I. & Murphy, Andrew W. 2008. Responses to language barriers in consultations with refugees and asylum seekers: A telephone survey of Irish general practitioners. BMC Family Practice 9: 68. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Ministry of Health and Social Services. 2013. Ministry of Health and Social Services Annual Report 2012/2013. Windhoek: Government of the Republic of Namibia.Google Scholar
Mlambo, Nelson. 2017. Multilingualism in Healthcare: Communicative Experiences of Expatriate Healthcare Providers with Varying Linguistic Repertoires in Windhoek, Namibia. MA thesis, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. <[URL]> (12 February 2021).
New Era Newspaper. 2015 (9 April). Language barrier hampers health service. New Era. <[URL]> (12 February 2021).
. 2015 (25 November). Language barrier hinders healthcare delivery in Kunene New Era . <[URL]> (12 February 2021).
Polit, Denise F. & Beck, Cheryl T. 2012. Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. China: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Google Scholar
Rosenberg, Ellen, Leanza, Yvan & Seller, Robbyn. 2007. Doctor-patient communication in primary care with an interpreter: Physician perceptions of professional and family interpreters. Patient Education and Counseling 67(3): 286–292. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Sobane, Konosoang. 2012. Multilingual practices and language scaling in behavioural change communication on HIV/AIDS in Lesotho: The case of Phela health and development communications. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics 41: 107–115.Google Scholar
Sobane, Konosoang & Anthonissen, Christine. 2013. Linguistic resources and strategies used in multilingual communication in HIV/AIDS care centres in Lesotho. Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics 42: 263–280. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Tötemeyer, Andree-Jeanne. 2010. Multilingualism and the Language Policy for Namibian Schools. Cape Town: Praesa.Google Scholar
. 2009. Multilingualism/multiculturalism in Africa and its impact on a reading culture: The Namibian experience. <[URL]> (12 February 2021).
Ulrey, Kelsy L. & Amason, Patricia. 2001. Intercultural communication between patients and healthcare providers: An exploration of intercultural communication effectiveness, cultural sensitivity, stress, and anxiety. Health Communication 13(4): 449–463. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
World Health Organisation. 2011. <[URL]> (5 September 2016).
WHO Namibia. 2011. WHO Namibia Annual Report 2011. Windhoek: WHO.Google Scholar