Working with Diverse People: Overcoming Language and Cultural Barriers

This article discusses how to effectively communicate with culturally and linguistically diverse coworkers and clients. It covers topics such as sensitively resolving diverse communication, the roles of cultural interpreters, and how to overcome language and cultural barriers. The article also provides tips on practicing non-judgmental listening and self-reflection.

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Working with Diverse People.
Institutional affiliation
Course name
Student name
Date.

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Activity 4B-PC 4.2
Question 1 (100-200words)
Sensitively resolve diverse communication.
Diverse communication to be effective requires; an understanding of the cultural
diversity, has to develop an awareness of the individual cultures, should demand and cultivate
understanding and acceptance, the communication should be simple and lastly, in case the
communication is not achieved due to the diversity, help should be sought so as to achieve
effective communication (Tollefson, 2010).
Cultural awareness is nurtured by identifying the influences that culture has on the human
behavior, being able to create/develop a psychologically and culturally safe environment by
eliminating discrimination and bias. Lastly, identifying and discussing how to be respectful with
all the interactions and communications with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) co-
workers and clients (Funnell, Koutoukidis, Lawrence, 2009).
Effective communication with CALD persons so as to resolve cross-cultural
misunderstandings requires the following; identifying and discussing on how to maintain
effective relations with the CALD persons, identifying and discussing the strategies to be used
when communicating so as to overcome language barrier, identify what may cause cross-cultural
conflicts, coming up with strategies on how to sensitively revolve the cross-cultural differences.
Lastly, discuss and identify on ways to sensitively resolve cross-cultural misunderstandings
(Crisp & Taylor, 2009).
Question 2 (300 words)
Help/assistance as a result of cultural diversity.
Interpreters and translators are very useful in cultural diverse communication. An
interpreter, helps with the spoken language whereby, he/she translates and mediates between two
languages, on the spot, they do this without using a dictionary. On the other hand, a translator,
they deal with the written languages. They clarify, accurately express the written message.
Unlike the interpreter that works on both direction, a translator works on one direction (Keers-
Sanchez, 2013).
The following are the roles of a cultural interpreter; in a clinical setting, they are very
useful as they aid in clinician-patient interactions. They ensure that there is an understanding of
both the words and the meaning between the two. They provide precise and clear interpretations
of the healthcare provider’s and the family questions and answers. They are able to assist the
communications without being on the lead. They have an understanding of the family situations
and their specific issues therefore they give the healthcare provider some cultural background
which enhances more understanding. It steers the healthcare provider away from words or
actions that may be culturally inappropriate therefore preventing or/and clarifying
misunderstandings from both sides. Lastly, ensures that integrity and confidentiality of all
involved parties is maintained (Ku & Flores, 2015).

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Professional and non-professional interpreters can be used. In most hospitals, the
professional interpreters are either voluntary or employed. In most cases, they are familiar with
one or more cultural, ethnic group or language. In case of emergencies, online interpreters can be
consulted, the AT&T Language Line (Bischoff et al., 2013; Flores, 2015).
The unprofessional/untrained interpreters include, the patient’s family members, friends,
use of other employees. The advantages of using the family members is that they are always
available and there is no extra cost for the services although one is not sure of their effectiveness
as an interpreter. When using the friends, it has the same advantages as the friends although
confidentiality is put at a risk. While using a fellow employee, it is of advantage as it can be
easily arranged and also there is no extra cost for the services although confidentiality is put at
risk and also he/she lags behind in their duties (Bernstein et al., 2012).
Activity 1C-PC 1.3
Question 1 &2 (250 words)
Self-reflection on non-judgmental practice
Non-judgmental practice is very importance as it creates a safe and comfortable
environment that enhances person’s opening up. It entails not being judgmental, based on one’s
personal believes, opinions and standards. The non-judgmental practice starts with non-
judgmental listening (Smith, Miller, Archer & Hague, 2012).
To ensure that I my practice is non-judgmental, I will ensure that I practice acceptance.
this means that I will respect the other person’s feelings, values and experiences despite them
being different from mine. In addition to this I will not criticize or judge them based on my own
beliefs and attitudes.
Secondly, I will be genuine. I will do this by ensuring that what I say and do shows that I
have accepted them and the values they hold. I should ensure that my outward presentation of
my attitude via the body language reflects what comes from my mouth.
Lastly, I should incorporate empathy in my practice. This means I should put myself in
the other person’s shoes/situation so as to get a better understanding of the person’s situation.
Empathy enables one to be able to demonstrate to the other person that they are truly listening
and understanding what they are saying and their feelings. This very different with sympathy.
In conclusion, for non-judgmental practice, I should accept the other person exactly the
way they are, I should genuinely not make any moral judgement about their situation, and lastly,
I should empathetically get their wavelength.

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Activity 3C-PC 3.3
Question 1 (150 words)
How to overcome language and cultural barriers?
Language barrier is one of the major hindrances to effective communication and
interaction. it can be overcome by; using an interpreter, translating all the relevant documents
into primary languages, can provide language classes on the basics of the language, use both the
telling and the showing methods when training, use the visual modes of communication, use
repetition, use simpler language, be patient, be careful when using jargon and speak clearly and
slowly (Jouridine, 2012).
The cultural barrier can be overcome by; learning a few key phrases for effective
communication, learning the client’s culture, this enhances cultural sensitivity, promote the
appreciate of the cultural differences, be open to experimenting new things and lastly, being
accommodative of the cultural needs of others (Pauwels, 2015).
Question 2 (150 words)
Scenario one.
There is a misunderstanding between the worker and a CALD client as the worker joked about
the client’s children. The client is offended although it was meant to be a joke. This shows that
there is a miscommunication. There is a language barrier between the two which has led to
misunderstanding.
Scenario two.
A female worker gets offended after an Orthodox Jewish male client refuses to shake her hand.
The worker is offended because she does not understand the cultural differences between them.
The Jewish culture does not allow handshakes between different genders. If she had an
understanding of the client’s culture she wouldn’t have been offended.
Scenario three.
The Aboriginal family gets offended, upset and irritated by a community worker who
wore a short revealing dress on a sunny day. She does not understand why their behavior as she
thought she was being professional and polite. If she understood cultural diversity, she would
have dressed accordingly. She would have known what is termed indecent or decent among the
Aboriginals.

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Smith, B, Miller, A, Archer, T & Hague, C (2012). Working with diverse cultures. Ohio State
University: Ohio.
Bernstein, J., Bernstein, E., Dave, A., Hardt, E., James, T., Linden, J., Mitchell, P., Oishi, T. and
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Ku, L. and Flores, G., (2015). Pay now or pay later: providing interpreter services in health care.
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Keers-Sanchez, A., (2013). Mandatory provision of foreign language interpreters in health care
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