Language Services Research Articles

Emergency Language Services in a Zhuang Village in the China-and-Vietnam Borderland

As a localized sociolinguistic concept, emergency language services (ELS) have gained an increasing importance during the Covid-19 pandemic in China. Despite the nation-wide promotion of ELS, previous studies seem to center on the language practices in the cosmopolitan cities whereas our knowledge about the peripheral regions remains poorly understood. Given that China has the largest number of bordering countries, it is of significance to conduct ELS in the borderlands. Adopting ELS (Li, Rao, Zhang, & Li, 2020) as a theoretical framework, this study investigates what ELS have been available to a Zhuang-centered minority village in Yunnan bordering Vietnam and how local people respond to the Covid-19 related messages. Based on the semi-structured interviews with two village chiefs, one rural Zhuang doctor and six Zhuang people of different ages and language backgrounds, the study finds that there are insufficient language services available to Zhuang people who are lack of proficiency in Putonghua. The grassroots efforts yet play critical roles, including rural Zhuang doctor who provides emotional support and medical treatment, and village chiefs working as language broker translating Putonghua-mediated messages into Zhuang oral language through the multiple social media. The findings and results of the study can shed lights on providing effective language services for Chinese multilingual population from peripheral regions.

Forum Introduction: Promoting Equity in Speech-Language Services With Indigenous Children.

Forum Introduction: Promoting Equity in Speech-Language Services With Indigenous Children.

Culture, stigma, and inequities creating barriers in alcohol use disorder management in alcohol-associated liver disease.

Culture, stigma, and inequities creating barriers in alcohol use disorder management in alcohol-associated liver disease.

Towards an index of linguistic justice

As a step towards a systematic comparative evaluation of the fairness of different language policies, a rationale is presented for the design of an index of linguistic justice based on public policy analysis. The approach taken is to define a ‘minimum threshold of linguistic justice’ with respect to government language policy in three domains: law and order, public administration, and essential services. A hypothetical situation of pure equality and freedom in the choice of language used by all members of society in communicating with the state is used as a theoretical benchmark to study the distributive effects of policy alternatives. Departures from this standard incur lower scores. Indicators are chosen to assess effective access to three kinds of language rights: toleration (the lack of state interference in private language choices), accommodation (accessibility of public services in different languages), and compensation (symbolic and practical recognition of languages outside the dominant one). In order to take account of the cost-benefit trade-offs involved in providing language-related goods to language groups of varying sizes, a method is adopted for weighting scores with respect to compensation rights so that lack of recognition for larger groups incurs greater penalties, while factoring in the particular characteristics of each language-related good. A trial set of ten indicators illustrates the compromises entailed in balancing theoretical rigour with empirical feasibility.

Deriving of the Standard Machine Name Programmatically A Study from the Perspective of Computational Languages

This paper is a joint research between linguistic sciences and applied computer sciences, in order to introduce the linguistic phenomenon to digital computer science within what is known as (computational languages). The paper dealt with making a computer program to derive the Arabic machine's name in standard derivation with all its morphological fluctuations, whether It is the correct or the faulty one. The applied technique has been able to program the morphological law in a computerized algorithmic technique. So that it performs the exchange process and its requirements of explaining or substituting or others, as it simulates the user of the Arabic language in the production of an infinite number of standard machine names according to what the program user enters. This step is a confident beginning, Allah Almighty willing, for new programs in the service of Arabic language : studying, teaching and using.

The Sources of Hearing According to Abu Hayyan Al-Andalusi 745) A.H.) (Al-Salik's Approach in Speaking of the Alfiya of Ibn Malik)

Undoubtedly, the audible or transmitted texts have a high value and a strong impact in proving and documenting the language, as it is an important origin of the grammar. This origin was established with the establishment of Arabic grammar, throughout the stage of application. After increasing the authorship in grammar's science, the grammarians wanted to theorize this science, set its limits, and draw its general framework. Therefore, theorizing and application are supported in the service of language, especially the science of grammar, which was evident enough in proving linguistic and grammatical rulings, based on argument and proof; to guide the minds of grammarians according to the opinions that they believed in, and deduced from them the foundations on which they built their rulings. From this perspective, this research was concerned with the book: Al-Salik's Approach of Speaking to the Alfiya of Ibn Malik) by Abu Hayyan Al-Andalusi, one of the famous grammarians. Our aim is to study the sources of one of the most important principles of grammar, which is listening, so this study was based on an introduction to the concept of listening as a language, reform, the value of listening and its limits, and Abu Hayyan's position and inferences, which are based on the documented texts of his book; followed-by the three demands. The first requirement was specific to the Holy Qur'an, and I made the second requirement specific to the noble hadith, and the final requirement was related to the speech of the Arabs. The concepts of the above were defined and rooted. Then we proved the most important results of the study in points, which were contained in a conclusion to the research, and we ask God for success and more rectitude.
 Keywords: Alfiya, Abu Hayyan, Al-Salik, Al-Sama`a, sources, method

Provision of Telemental Health Before and After COVID-19 Onset

To examine the organizational characteristics associated with telemedicine services provided by mental health care organizations before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Using 2019-2020 National Mental Health Services Survey data, we assessed changes in provisions of telemedicine services by mental health care facilities before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated multivariable logistic regression models comparing pre- vs postpandemic changes in prevalence of telemedicine offered by mental health care facilities. We incorporated mental health care organizations' characteristics, including facility type, accepted payment, geography, and language service provisions, as well as state-level policies, such as payment parity laws, shelter-in-place laws, and number of COVID-19 cases. Mental health care facilities had 4 times the odds (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% CI, 4.09-4.61)​​ of telemedicine provision post pandemic in 2020 compared with prepandemic in 2019. In 2020, facilities that accepted Medicaid (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.11-1.49) and Medicare (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.14-1.39) were more likely to provide telemedicine than those that did not. Facilities that offered American Sign Language (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.16-1.43) and non-English language services (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.15-1.44) were more likely to provide telemedicine than facilities that did not. Facilities located in states with payment parity laws (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.11-1.36) were more likely to offer telemedicine than states without. Telemedicine availability in mental health facilities has expanded post COVID-19 pandemic, but telemedicine provision has been uneven across organizational and state-level factors. Expansion of regional investments and payment parity might be necessary to ensure equitable provision of telemedicine.

Optimizing Care for Spanish-Speaking Patients and Families in the Hospital: Defining the Gaps and Interventions.

Clinical and safety outcomes continue to be unequal between Spanish-speaking limited-English-proficient patients and English-proficient patients in the US healthcare system. In our study, “Spanish Interpreter Services for the Hospitalized Pediatric Patient: Provider and Interpreter Perceptions,” we conducted focus groups at one freestanding children's hospital to elicit perspectives on interpreter and provider roles, modalities of interpretation, and barriers to accessing language services.1 Staff agreed interpreters should provide word-for-word interpretation (conduit role); some felt interpreters could also act as advocates or cultural brokers.

Sino-Japanese Contrast and Translation of Emergency Language—Take COVID-19 for Example

Emergency language service is an important component of disaster management, which runs through the whole process of disaster from occurrence to solution. As a disaster-prone area, Japan has rich practical experience in emergency language services. The context formed by major emergencies often endows existing words with certain relevance semantics or situational semantics, as well as the birth to some new words. On the basis of expounding the formal characteristics and operating regulations of emergency language services in Japan, this paper analyzes and compares the changes and differences in relevant words in the context of the epidemic situation based on COVID-19. It is hoped that this study will provide some enlightenment for China to build emergency language service systems, so as to provide reference for the formulation of emergency language services in China.

Strategies Used by Healthcare Systems to Communicate with Hospitalized Patients and Families with Limited English Proficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, including many with limited English proficiency (LEP). These patients face various communication barriers, including a shortage of available interpreters and the need for masks that exacerbated communication barriers. It is not known how hospitals responded to these unique challenges to providing language services for the large number of patients with LEP during COVID-19. This narrative review assessed literature and lay media to identify strategies utilized by hospitals to communicate with patients with LEP hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. A search of APA PsychInfo, EBM Reviews, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Epub Ahead of Print, and Ebsco Megafile initially yielded 61 articles, 6 of which were ultimately included after reviewing abstracts and full texts. The identified interventions, which sought to increase accessibility of language-concordant care, increase accessibility of professional interpretation, and improve family communication and understanding, were described positively, though only one was tested for effectiveness.

‘Without support CALD patients will be left behind’: A mixed-methods exploration of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) client perspectives of telehealth and those of their healthcare providers

Introduction The rapid adoption of telehealth during the global pandemic has the potential to widen disparities for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers. We explored the perspectives and experiences of CALD consumers accessing telehealth during the global pandemic and those of their healthcare providers. Methods A multistakeholder mixed-methods study involving two parallel samples comprising consumer–participants (n = 56) and healthcare provider–participants (n = 81). Multicultural consumer–participants, recruited from consecutive referrals to Health Language Services for telehealth support, were assisted to complete two surveys (before and after their clinical telehealth appointment) in their preferred language. A purposive sample of consumer–participants was interviewed to understand their perceived barriers and enablers of successful telehealth consultations. Simultaneously, all healthcare providers within the local health district were eligible to participate in an online survey if they had provided telehealth care to a consumer during the recruitment period. Closed-ended responses were descriptively summarised, while open-ended responses and interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results Despite 86% of consumer–participants inexperienced with telehealth, 80% achieved a successful appointment with a healthcare provider. Consumer perceptions were shaped by cultural and diagnostic concepts of legitimacy, in the context of known accessibility and technology literacy challenges. Healthcare provider perspectives were less favourable towards telehealth, with equity of healthcare delivery a major concern. Discussion Our findings highlight unintended consequences arising from a rapid transition to telehealth. Adopting collaborative approaches to the design and implementation of telehealth is imperative to mitigate health inequities faced by CALD communities and maximise their opportunity to realise potential health benefits associated with telehealth.

The Use of Interpreters in Health Centers: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Health centers serve millions of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) through highly variable language services programs that reflect patient language preferences, the availability of bilingual staff, and very limited sources of third-party funding for interpreters. We conducted a mixed-methods study to understand interpreter services delivery in federally qualified health centers during 2009-2019. Using the Uniform Data System database, we conducted a quantitative analysis to determine characteristics of centers with and without interpreters, defined as staff whose time is devoted to translation and/or interpreter services. We also analyzed Medicaid-relevant policies' association with health centers' interpreter use. The qualitative component used a sample of 28 health centers to identify interpreter services models. We found that the use of interpreters, as measured by the ratio of interpreter full-time equivalents per patients with LEP, decreased between 2009 and 2019. We did not find statistically significant relationships between interpreter staffing and number of patients with LEP served, or in our examination of Medicaid-relevant policies. Our qualitative analysis uncovered homegrown models with varying program characteristics. Key themes included the critical role of bilingual staff, inconsistent interpreter training, and the reasonably smooth transition to virtual interpretation during COVID-19.

"Long Overdue": Nurse and Resident Physician Perspectives on Implementation of Dual-Handset Interpreter Phones in the Inpatient Setting.

Patients with language barriers suffer significant health disparities, including adverse events and poor health outcomes. While remote language services can help improve language access, these modalities remain persistently underused. The objective of this study was to understand clinician experiences and challenges using dual-handset interpreter telephones and to inform recommendations for future language access interventions. We conducted four focus groups with nurses (N=14) and resident physicians (N=20) to understand attitudes toward dual-handset interpreter telephones in the hospital, including general impressions, effects on communication, situations in which they did and did not use them, and impact on clinical care. Three researchers independently coded all transcripts using a constant comparative approach, meeting repeatedly to discuss coding and to reconcile differences to reach consensus. We identified five salient themes, including increased language access (improved convenience, flexibility, and versatility of phones over in-person or ad hoc interpreters); effects on interpersonal processes of care (improved ability to communicate directly with patients); effects on clinical processes of care (improvements in critical patient care functions, including pain and medication management); impact on time (needing extra time for interpreted encounters and perceived delays impacting future use); and patients for whom, and circumstances in which, the dual-handset interpreter telephone is inadequate (e.g., complex discussions, hands-on instruction, or multiple speakers are present). Our findings indicate that clinicians value dual-handset interpretation in bridging communication barriers and highlight recommendations to guide future implementation interventions to increase the uptake of remote language services in hospital settings.

Cultural care needs of Spanish speaking parents with limited English proficiency whose children are hospitalized: An ethnonursing study

PurposeParents' inability to speak English proficiently is associated with communication barriers in the care process of their children, social determinants of health, and poor child health outcomes. Research exploring perspectives of Spanish speaking parents with limited English proficiency (SSP-LEP) whose children are hospitalized in the context of culture is lacking in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural experiences, values, and beliefs of SSP-LEP, of Mexican origin, whose children were hospitalized and to understand nurses' roles in providing culturally congruent care. Design and methodsLeininger's qualitative, ethnonursing method was used for this study. The Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality provided a guiding framework. Eleven SSP-LEP, of Mexican origin, participated in interviews conducted in-person and via Zoom. Data was analyzed using Leininger's four phases of qualitative analysis. ResultsThree themes emerged: 1. role of the mother as an ever-present manager of care for the hospitalized child and family, 2. parents' difficult, fearful, stressful, and unknowing experiences in the presence of a language barrier, and 3. expected nursing care that was kind, respectful, compassionate, and attentive. ConclusionsLack of knowledge creates hardships for parents who desire to be involved, informed caregivers. Communication in Spanish language is integral to parents' understanding and expected nursing care. SSP-LEP may have negative feelings; yet describe a positive care experience. Practice implicationsCulturally congruent care should incorporate language services for information sharing that facilitates parent participation and decision-making; be kind, respectful, compassionate, and attentive; and promote maternal role maintenance.

Parent Perspectives of Ear Health and the Relationship with Children's Speech and Language in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.

Health and well-being are holistic concepts that are perceived to be inseparable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We examined relationships between parent-reported ear symptoms for 787 Indigenous children at two time points (age 2-3 years, age 4-5 years) and two parent-reported speech and language outcomes one year later (age 5-6 years). Most parents (80.2%) reported no concern about their child's expressive language and (93.8%) receptive language. Binary logistic regression models examined ear health as a predictor of children's expressive and receptive speech and language adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates. For children without parent-reported ear symptoms, there were lower odds of parental concern about expressive speech and language (aOR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.21-0.99) and receptive language (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.09-0.62). Parents were less likely to have concerns about the child's expressive speech and language if their child was female, lived in urban or regional areas, had excellent or very good global health, or had no disability when aged 2-5 years. Since parent-reported ear health and speech and language concerns were related, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children could benefit from culturally safe, strength-based, and family-centered integrated speech, language, and ear health services.

Access, referral, service provision and management of individuals with primary progressive aphasia: A survey of speech-language therapists in Italy.

In Italy, approximately 650 individuals receive a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) every year. Unfortunately, the frequency with which patients are referred to speech-language services is suboptimal, likely due to skepticism regarding the value of speech-language therapy in the context of neurodegeneration. We conducted a virtual survey of speech and language therapists (SLTs) across Italy, to collect information about the assessment, intervention and management of patients with PPA. To ensure that as many SLTs as possible received the survey, the Italian Federation of SLTs (Federazione Logopedisti Italiani, FLI) aided in disseminating the survey. In total, 336 respondents participated in the online survey, 140 of whom had previous experience with PPA patients. Respondents indicated having seen a total of 428 PPA patients in the previous 24 months (three patients on average, range: 0-40). SLTs who reported never working with PPA identified underdiagnoses, low referral rates and the rarity of the clinical syndrome as major reasons for their lack of experience with PPA. SLTs with experience working with PPA indicated that patients may not have accessed services because of service dysfunction and geographical barriers. Respondents reported using informal interviews during assessments and tests developed for post-stroke aphasia, while impairment-based/restitutive interventions were utilised most often. Findings may serve to inform health policy organisations regarding the current shortcomings and needed recommendations for improving the care of individuals with PPA in Italy. Improving awareness of the utility of rehabilitation among SLTs and other clinical service providers may serve to facilitate access to intervention, which in turn will serve to better support individuals living with PPA. What is already known on the subject Speech and language therapists (SLTs) play a crucial role in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). However, the frequency with which individuals with PPA are referred for speech and language services is suboptimal due to skepticism regarding the value of speech and language therapy in the context of neurodegeneration, the scarcity of SLTs with expertise in the treatment of PPA and the lack of awareness of the SLT role amongst referrers. What this paper adds to existing knowledge In recognition of the lack of published information on the provision of speech and language therapy services and clinicians' approaches to the assessment and treatment of individuals with PPA in Italy, we conducted an online survey to evaluate the current referral patterns for speech and language therapy services and to examine the current barriers to access these services for individuals with PPA in Italy. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The data presented here support that SLTs view treatment as useful for individuals with PPA and other professional figures and may serve to improve access to intervention, which in turn will serve to better support individuals living with PPA. The results highlight the need to inform health policy organisations about current gaps and aid in developing recommendations for improving the care of individuals with PPA, in order to understand how SLTs can best support individuals with PPA and their families.

Study on The Cultivation of Interdisciplinary Language Service Talents under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative

With the rapid development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the cultivate of interdisciplinary language talents should be further explored. As the International Language Service has became a subdiscipline under the Discipline of Foreign Language and Literature, the cultivation and training of contemporary language service talents has began to accelerate. This paper discussed overall development of language service industry, the challenges, principles, macro strategy and micro approaches of cultivating qualified language service talents to meet the requirements for the Belt and Road Initiative. This paper addresses the importance of strategy and planning of the subject of language service, and the necessity to hand over the rights to set sub-discipline to teaching units. Specific approaches includes but not limited to disciplinary integration from the begin to the end of course framework, integration of discipline and technology, integration of various entities involved in the cultivation, such as government, industry and enterprises, universities and research institutes.

A STUDY OF VIRTUAL LINGGUISTIC LANDSCAPE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LANGUAGE SERVICES --TAKING THE HEALTH COMMISSION OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF GUANGZHOU AND SHENZHEN AS EXAMPLES

Linguistic landscape is a carrier and a way to express and apply language services. Shenzhen Health Commission and Guangzhou Health Commission, the two official accounts that convey medical and health knowledge as well as local epidemic prevention information, are closely related to the lives of their target readers. As a way of language services, official account is also a kind of online virtual linguistic landscape. We will take the virtual linguistic landscapes of Shenzhen and Guangzhou Health Commission official accounts to make a comparative study on the relevant data from eight aspects based on the SPEAKING model. It is concluded that there are differences between the two in terms of article style, content form, and phrasing habits. This study not only analyzes and compares the differences between the virtual language landscapes of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, but also provides important references for further research on how the linguistic landscapes can better perform language services.

Empirical Study of Coordinated Development of Heilongjiang Province's Border Trade and Language Service Industry with Russia by Big Data Analysis

The coordinated development of Heilongjiang's border trade with Russia and the language service industry are explored. The research result provides solutions to the current bottleneck of language services in the development of Heilongjiang's trade with Russia. Through big data analysis, we conduct a model analysis of the impact of the service industry on border trade with Russia and the foreign economy on culture. Accordingly, we put forward relevant policy recommendations for the development of the language service industry in Heilongjiang province.

ИНТЕГРАЦИЯ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ И ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ПРИ ПОДГОТОВКЕ СПЕЦИАЛИСТОВ ЯЗЫКОВОЙ СЛУЖБЫ В КИТАЕ

The article explains the importance of industry-education integration in language services by providing students with practical language learning and application opportunities that improve their language and intercultural communication skills and meet the needs of real-world industry. The difficulties and challenges faced by the education, training and talent development system in China are analyzed. The economic benefits from the integration of education and production are described, allowing businesses to better gain a foothold in the international market, increase their competitiveness and achieve sustainable development. Strategies and measures are proposed to closely integrate language services and talent development through collaboration with industry.