Language Differences Create Vulnerability

Language barriers are apt to make people feel vulnerable, especially in difficult situations. We briefly discussed this topic in class in relation to medical care. When the doctor speaks a different language, it's often hard to feel secure because you have to use a translator. Communication between health care professionals and patients and families is difficult enough to begin with because this relationship is so unique. Doctors have all the knowledge about what is going on in these scary, often life threatening situations, and patients and families often feel powerless. Language differences only make these interactions even more complicated.

In addition to health related situations, education is also a difficult subject, made harder by differences in language. These were the sentiments expressed by an article I read about language barriers in schools between parents and school administrators. It is a complicated matter for non english speaking parents to navigate the US school systems. This is particularly the case for the parents of children with learning disabilities. They don't know how to ensure that their children are receiving the best education possible and all the help they need. In some places, such as school districts in Florida, there are liaisons to help with the transition into American schools for these children, many of whom have never attended school. These liaisons act as translators between the parents and the school in order to ensure that everyone has the same understanding of the needs of the child. They explain the education system and act as a go-between so that the child receives all the necessary help.

I can only imagine how vulnerable these parents must feel. In situations with translators there is always the possibility that some information is getting lost. This is particularly a scary notion when it comes to important topics such as healthcare and education. A person wants to know that they are receiving all of the information necessary to make an informed decision in whatever the situation, especially when these decisions have potentially life altering effects. This demonstrates the importance of these academic liaisons in schools. Children who need special education are already at a disadvantage in the school system. Those whose parents who can't speak English to understand this most definitely need the help of a translator who understands this impact in order to ensure that the child in question is receiving the best education the school can give them.