Download pdf - Eva Hussain - Polaron Language Services: Providing culturally competent and language appropriate crisis services

www.polaron.com.au www.polaron.com.au

Providing

culturally competent &

language appropriate

crisis services

Eva Hussain, CEO

Polaron Language Services


Headlines


Is this the only time we hear about CALD people?

Research is scant.

Statistics are fragmented. Perceptions and assumptions get in the way.


2 truths and 1 lie

I am Jewish

I converted to Islam in 1986 I am a grandmother

Which one is a lie?


Does any of it matter?

Why?

Why not?


What if the only thing you knew

about me is my surname?

How would you

go about providing culturally and linguistically

appropriate crisis services

to me? (with the best of intentions)



More about me

Arrived in Australia in 1986.

No money, no English, no idea.

The violence and poverty cycle.

My mixer.

Today.


Jane Fatima


Impact of cultural diversity on practice

Resources and time.

Training.

Working with interpreters and translating materials.

Innovative and flexible.

Understanding the impact of immigration.

Working with different family structures, cultures, languages.

Treating people as individuals.


What is CALD?

Everybody?

Groups and individuals who differ according to religion,

race, language and ethnicity (exc. Anglo-Saxon & Celtic,

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background people).

Key Indicators:

– Born in a non-English speaking country

– Speaks a language other than English at home

– Low proficiency in English

– Born in Australia with at least one parent who was

born overseas in a non-English speaking country


Cultural Diversity in Australia

In 1945, our population was 7 million, with 90% born here.

Today, our population is 22.7 million, with 22% born overseas.

Since 1945, ~7 M people have come to here from 230 countries.

~16% of us speak a language other than English at home.

200+ languages are spoken in Australia.

100+ religions are practiced.

Indigenous people make up 2.5% of the population.

AUSLAN is the main language of 7000+ Australians.


Experiences of CALD communities

CALD communities are diverse and services need to account

for and respect the differences between communities and their

needs. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

People from CALD communities may experience a range of

barriers and difficulties in dealing with services. They may

relate to grief, trauma and loss associated with experiences in

Australia or their country of origin.

Cultural and language barriers, fear of breaches of

confidentiality and stigmatisation may also affect willingness

and ability to work with service providers.


Research indicates that CALD communities may…

Lack knowledge of their rights and responsibilities in Australia.

Lack knowledge about the roles of different services.

Have low literacy levels in their own language.

Have difficulty communicating in English.

Be low in numbers but have very high needs.

Have evolving needs.

Experience lack of family, social and community supports.

Be at a socioeconomic disadvantage.

Be not familiar with the services’ range and structure.

www.polaron.com.au 15

What is language?

Systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols.

A language family is a group of languages related by descent from a common ancestor, called the proto-language.

Evidence of relationship is observable by shared features.

The difference between a language and a dialect can be political rather than linguistic.

There are over 100 language families in the world.


What is culture?

Many views and definitions.

People’s way of life.

Integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief and behaviour.

Outlook, attitudes, values, morals, and customs shared by a society.

It affects how we think and feel, how we learn, what we consider right or wrong, beautiful or ugly.

It's a sum total of our life experiences and learned behaviours.

It's not static.


2011 - biggest increase in people born in :

India (up 200,000), China (176,200) and

New Zealand (127,700).

2011 - largest decreases in people born in:

Italy (less 33,300), Greece (16,500) and

Poland (9,400).

www.polaron.com.au

English Proficiency

Language % who are not proficient in English

Vietnamese 35.8%

Khmer 35.2%

Korean 34.8%

Dari 29.3%

Cantonese 27.3%

Mandarin 25.8%

Turkish 21.4%

Serbian 20.9%

Portuguese 19.5%

Japanese 19.2%

Russian 19.0%

Macedonian 18.7%

Persian 17.0%

Greek 17.0%

Indigenous 16.9%

Arabic 15.8%


Humanitarian Entrants 2002-2011

Iraq 22,112

Sudan 21,335

Afghanistan 15,395

Burma 10,599

Sri Lanka 3,649

Ethiopia 3,398

Thailand 3,250

Liberia 3,054

Sierra Leone 2,938

China 2,881

TOTAL 133,067


Acholi Shona Mauritian Creole Akan Zulu Malayam Telugu Swahili Gujarati Afrikaans Amharic Nepali Oromo Marathi

Fastest growing languages

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Information dissemination

Consider format – print, audio or visual.

Consider interpreters, bilingual workers, community workers.

Boundaries.

Identify main outlets used to source information by the target community.

Consider how to address the issues of poor literacy and education of some communities.

Consider most effective means of communication with newly arrived and emerging communities with fewer community infrastructures.


Why use plain English?

It’s inclusive and breaks down communication barriers.

It engages people and leads to better understanding, listening and learning.

It shifts the power and authority barrier between client and

worker by relating to the client as an equal partner.

It places the worker in the role of partner or guide.

Allows people to be active participants in the process.

www.polaron.com.au

Plain English

“You will need to sit her up during mealtimes so she doesn’t aspirate”

“She will need to sit up when she’s eating or drinking to make sure food does not go

into her lungs”


Best practice when working with interpreters

Where possible, work with NAATI accredited interpreters. Where possible, maintain continuity. Do not use children, relatives and unqualified bi-lingual staff as interpreters. Stress confidentiality. Use plain English, avoid jargon. Remain flexible but in control of the interview. Develop a professional partnership with the interpreter.


Best practice when working with interpreters

Prepare prior to the interview with a list of questions.

Allow more time than usual.

Decide if an interpreter is needed (how?).

Brief the interpreter.

Ensure appropriate environment and seating.

Explain purpose of the interview and interpreter’s role

Maintain control of interview.

Manage challenging aspects and dynamics of the interview.

Stop the interview if it isn’t working.

Manage feedback.

Debrief.


When to engage an interpreter

When the client requests one.

At the point of entry into the service, when undertaking assessment and review.

When essential information needs to be communicated.

Whenever any party assess that the client may be disadvantaged without one.

When the client is required to make informed decision.

When explaining the details of the service and options.

For feedback and complaints.

For risk assessment and referral.


Interpreter

Should interpret everything that is being said (making participants linguistically present).

Aims to facilitate communication so that you are communicating effectively with your client.

Seeks clarification when necessary.

Should take notes.

Is not a cultural broker or an advocate.

Follows the AUSIT Code of Ethics: accuracy, confidentiality, impartiality are paramount.

Keeps exchanges confidential.

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Why do we translate?

We do it because … some people in Australia are CALD.

We do it because … we think it’s a good idea.

We do it because … somebody thinks it’s a good idea.

We do it … because we’ve received funding.

We do it because … it has landed on our desk.

We do it because … no one else wants to do it.


How do we translate?

Do we plan and budget for translation?

Who makes the decision and how is it made?

How well informed is the decision maker?

Who do we get to do the translation?

How do we know translation is of good quality?

How do we know that it’s done its job?


Translations

Preparation will save time and money.

Write in plain English.

Keep your sentences short - up to 20 words.

Be concise and imagine you are talking to your reader.

Provide context for your main ideas. e.g. Intake Officer.

Avoid jargon, abbreviations, slang.

Advise the translator of the purpose of the translation. Are your translations going to be printed? Are they going to be posted on line?


Example


Example


Example


Example


Example



Recommendations

Don’t do it for the sake of doing it. – Unless you are sure people will be able to read it.

– Unless you are sure it’s not been translated elsewhere.

– Don’t translate glossy brochures. Please.

Prioritise what needs to be translated. – Recycle, recycle, recycle.

– Ensure that important documents that require client’s consent, service standards,

rights and responsibilities, advocacy information, etc. are translated first.

– Identify other organisations you might be able to share the cost with.

Learn about the community. – Seek information from multiple sources.

– Use translation as the first step.

– Talk to the community.


Recommendations

Plan, prepare and budget. – Address the needs of your community.

– Read and learn. Ask questions.

– Prepare glossaries.

– Have a budget.

– Develop partnerships with community leaders.

Choose languages wisely. – Collect and analyse data.

– Understand your catchment area.

Develop partnerships with language services providers. – Ask for portfolio and references.

– Engage a reputable company who is prepared to engage with you to help

you engage with your community.