Multilingual Covid-19 Communication and Linguistic Minorities in Finland: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Inequality in access to information based on origin have been demonstrated already prior to Covid-19 epidemic and the epidemic widened those differences. Effective multilingual crisis communication can improve equal access to information. However, studies examining experiences of multilingual crisis communication are scarce. This study aims to explore how Arabic, Somali, and Russian speakers in Finland experienced multilingual communication during the Covid-19 epidemic and identify opportunities to improve its effectiveness. Methods Qualitative data consisted of 6 semi-structured group interviews with 32 individuals (Arabic n = 9, Russian n = 12, Somali n = 11 speakers). The respondents had lived in Finland since at least from spring 2021 and spoke Finnish or Swedish at most at beginner level. Interviews were conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 together with a translator. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Results There were major contradictions in respondents’ opinions. According to some respondents, multilingual information provided by authorities was highly valued in their communities and respondents felt that it strengthened trust towards the authorities. Other felt that messages were irrelevant for the communities, and the messages actually often reduced willingness to follow the guidelines or trust official sources. It was agreed that lack of multilingual information created space for dis- and misinformation. Also, the role of mouth-to-mouth information was seen as crucial during Covid-19 epidemic. Official information often neglected important social and cultural aspects and the information from the authorities only reached a small proportion of linguistic minorities living in Finland. Conclusions Multilingual crisis communication should consider social and cultural aspects to strengthen the equal access to trustworthy information of linguistic minorities. By this way, it also builds the trust towards national authorities. Key messages • Multilingual crisis communications that considers also social and cultural aspects is an effective way to improve equity of linguistic minorities during crises. • Multichannel approach and cooperation with communities during crises helps to reach more people and builds trust towards the authorities.