Overcome Language Barriers Research Articles

Fostering Patient-Clinician Communication to Promote Rapid HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus Diagnostic Testing: Conceptual Development of a Multilingual App.

Migrants are disproportionately affected by HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Clinicians, at times, fail to offer rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) for these viruses when a language barrier exists in the patient-clinician relationship, therefore creating missed testing opportunities. Although their effectiveness has been demonstrated elsewhere, conventional, in-person interpreters are costly and underused in practice. Furthermore, clinicians often call upon ad hoc interpreters, which introduces complexities in the clinical relationship. Digital solutions exist to diminish the burden of language barriers; however, the challenges of developing a multilingual and multicultural app have yet to be documented with respect to RDT in the nonfrancophone migrant population in France. Our goal was to design a multilingual app to overcome language barriers, health literacy barriers, and fears related to being tested to promote RDT of HIV, HBV, and HCV in the nonfrancophone migrant population in France. A combination of qualitative methods, agile development, and user-centered design was used. We conducted 2 focus groups (FGs) with 12 participants, including physicians, nurses, and social workers conducting RDT, as well as 1 modified Delphi survey with 68 participants including physicians and nurses. FGs explored the content (risk factors and medical history), functions (cultural adaptation and instant translation), and interface ergonomics (graphics and font) needed in the app. The Delphi presented 95 content items that the researchers sought to include in the app. Using FGs to inform the Delphi survey, we scientifically determined the app's content consisting of 95 items using expert consensus, developed a mock-up, and conducted initial user testing. We created an app that contains both migrant and clinician interfaces and includes a sociodemographic, risk assessment, health literacy, and testing barrier questionnaires available in 11 languages. Educational content is related to HIV, HBV, and HCV, along with the ability to understand whether the migrant agrees to be tested. This study allowed us to conceptualize a multilingual app that aims to increase the acceptance of RDT for HIV, HBV, and HCV. The specific features of the Assistant intelligent au dépistage des allophones app were designed to overcome the testing barriers in the nonfrancophone migrant population. The next phase will be an implementation study, as we intend to validate our app.

THE PROBLEM OF OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS BY STUDENTS OF NON-LINGUISTIC SPECIALTIES

The article presents studies of barriers to learning a foreign language and possible ways to overcome them. The relevance of the problem is proven by the analysis of modern processes of globalization and their influence on the demands placed on future specialists. An analysis of psychological-pedagogical and scientific-methodical literary sources of domestic and foreign authors, who studied various aspects of the emergence and overcoming of foreign-language barriers in the educational process of modern higher education institutions, was carried out. The purpose of the article is to analyze the barriers that arise when learning a foreign language and to determine ways to overcome them in the conditions of modern institutions of higher education. The content of the concept of psychological barrier in the context of learning a foreign language is specified. Having considered the available definitions of barriers in learning a foreign language, the authors state that the barrier in foreign language communication is an internal obstacle of a psychological nature that prevents the successful implementation of a certain activity. The article is devoted to the problem of overcoming language barriers by students of non-linguistic specialties when learning foreign languages. It is emphasized that the elimination of language barriers is the main a condition for optimizing the teaching of foreign languages in a technical university. The main causes of communication failures. Recommendations are given for organizing the educational process in foreign languages taking into account the language barrier factor.

Using a participatory approach to encourage uptake of breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening for Scottish Muslim women: a pilot qualitative study

BackgroundMuslim women use cancer screening less often than the general female population, which puts them at risk of delayed detection. We used an asset-based approach to co-design a faith-based intervention to increase uptake of breast, colorectal, and cervical screening in Scottish Muslim women. MethodsIn this pilot qualitative study, we recruited Muslim women (n=28) of Asian and Arab ethnicity, aged 25–74 years, through snowball sampling from community organisations in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Ten of these women participated in four online workshops in February, 2021, with the aim to codesign the intervention, underpinned by the socio-ecological model and the behaviour change wheel. The final intervention included health education delivered by doctors, testimonials by Muslim women sharing experiences of cancer or screening, and the perspective on cancer screening from a female religious scholar. The intervention was delivered to two groups of eight and ten Muslim women respectively, in March 2021. A week later, the 18 women participated in two focus groups to qualitatively evaluate the intervention. Analyses were conducted thematically. FindingsThemes included barriers to screening, acceptability of content and delivery, attitudinal change, and intervention improvement. Participants believed that lack of awareness was an important barrier to screening. They found the intervention informative. They particularly liked the combination of multiple components, including spirituality, culture, and health education. They valued the faith-based element and highlighted how Islam could facilitate overcoming cultural barriers including social stigma, embarrassment, and modesty, although this could vary with different levels of religiosity. Participants also emphasised that faith-based approaches in isolation would not be enough. They appreciated input of trusted sources such as doctors and religious scholars and were especially drawn to personal narratives. Participants expressed preference for face-to-face delivery and advised using translators to overcome language barriers. InterpretationBarriers to screening are complex. Using faith as an asset, integrated with the socio-ecological model and behaviour change wheel, resulted in a holistic intervention tackling multiple barriers, which appealed to participants. Collaborating with communities and faith leaders can help to develop culturally sensitive interventions that harness positive aspects of faith for better health outcomes. Intervention effectiveness needs more robust investigation, which we are undertaking in a feasibility study with 200 Muslim women in northeast England and Scotland. FundingScottish Inequalities Fund, the Scottish Government.

DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY FOR A UKRAINIAN AGRICULTURAL BERRY COMPANY IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

In today's globalised business environment, Ukrainian agribusinesses, particularly those in the berry sector, face a dynamic and competitive international market. To succeed in this environment, these companies need to develop effective digital marketing strategies that resonate with a global audience. This research focuses on the intricacies and imperatives of forming a robust digital marketing strategy for Ukrainian agri-berry companies operating in international markets. The study begins by delving into the specifics of the berry sector, highlighting its unique characteristics, challenges and potential. It highlights the importance of berries in a global context, emphasising their role as health-conscious consumers seek nutritious and sustainable options. Next, the research explores the digital landscape, highlighting the central role of digital platforms, social media and e-commerce in modern marketing. It highlights the power of data analytics and artificial intelligence in understanding consumer behaviour and tailoring marketing efforts. One of the key findings is the need to understand the cultural nuances and preferences of international target markets. It presents case studies of successful digital marketing campaigns by Ukrainian agricultural berry companies in different global regions. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively examine the formation of digital marketing strategies for Ukrainian agribusinesses specialising in berries as they navigate the complex landscape of international markets. It aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these companies, highlighting the importance of digital marketing in reaching global consumers. Through in-depth research, case studies and analysis, this article aims to provide valuable insights and practical guidance for Ukrainian agri-berry companies, enabling them to develop effective and tailored digital marketing strategies that will enhance their competitiveness and success on the international stage. Methodology. The methodology used in this article involves a multifaceted approach designed to comprehensively examine the formation of digital marketing strategies for Ukrainian agri-berry companies operating in international markets. Extensive research was conducted to review the existing literature on digital marketing strategies, international market entry and the agricultural sector in Ukraine. Comparative analysis was carried out to identify patterns, trends and best practices in the digital marketing strategies of Ukrainian agrarian berry companies compared to their international competitors. Several case studies were conducted to analyse real-life examples of Ukrainian agrarian berry companies that have ventured into international markets. These case studies provided valuable insights into the challenges and successes of different digital marketing strategies. Results. The survey conducted as part of this study sheds light on the current landscape of digital marketing strategies among Ukrainian agricultural berry companies in the context of international markets. A significant percentage of companies surveyed showed a significant gap in their digital presence compared to international competitors. Many Ukrainian agri-berry companies have yet to fully exploit the potential of digital marketing. This limited use represents a missed opportunity to optimise marketing efforts. An interesting trend has emerged in terms of social media platforms. While most companies use Facebook for marketing, there is a growing interest in diversifying to platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn in line with international marketing trends. Respondents often cited challenges associated with internationalisation, such as adapting marketing content for different markets, navigating diverse regulations and overcoming language barriers. Despite the challenges, a significant number of companies reported a positive return on investment (ROI) from their digital marketing efforts. This shows that with the right strategies, international markets can be very lucrative. There is room for improvement: а recurring theme in respondents' responses was the recognition that there is significant room for improvement in their digital marketing strategies. Many respondents expressed their intention to invest more in digital marketing and seek professional advice. Thus, the survey results highlight both the opportunities and challenges faced by Ukrainian agricultural berry companies in their efforts to develop effective digital marketing strategies for international markets. These findings will form the basis for the practical recommendations outlined in this study. Practical implications. The practical implications of this research highlight the need for Ukrainian agri-berry companies to prioritise digital marketing strategies for international expansion. By improving their digital presence, leveraging data analytics and diversifying across relevant platforms, these companies can overcome challenges and capitalise on the significant opportunities presented by international markets. Ukrainian agri-berry companies can use the findings to revise their digital marketing strategies, focusing on data-driven approaches and diversified platforms. By addressing the challenges of internationalisation and investing wisely, these companies can increase their global market presence and profitability. Value/originality. The value and originality of this article lies in a comprehensive study of the formation of digital marketing strategies for Ukrainian agricultural berry companies in international markets. This topic is extremely relevant in today's globalised business environment, where digital marketing plays a key role in a company's success. First, this article contributes to the existing body of knowledge by specifically addressing the unique challenges faced by Ukrainian agricultural berry companies.

The impact of high-immersion virtual reality on foreign language anxiety

Public speaking, especially in a foreign language, is associated with increased anxiety. Research has shown the potential of virtual reality (VR) for simulating real-life experiences, allowing for public speaking practice in an ecological and safe environment. This between-subjects study investigated the effect of VR on foreign language anxiety (FLA) in public speaking practice. Intermediate learners of English participated in eight public speaking sessions over a three-month period, yielding 160 research observations. The experimental intervention took place in high-immersion VR with subjects wearing a VR headset and speaking in front of virtual audience. In the control intervention, subjects used a videoconferencing platform (Zoom) to speak in front of a real-life audience. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that practicing speaking in VR was associated with statistically significant lower FLA scores, compared with speaking practice using Zoom. The study found that VR technology had a positive effect on practicing public speaking in a foreign language. The research findings have practical implications for professionals and curriculum designers in various domains where public speaking skills are essential. For example, incorporating VR-based public speaking practice can benefit professionals preparing for a job interview, an elevator pitch, or a conference presentation. Curriculum designers can consider integrating VR simulations into language courses to provide students with realistic public speaking experiences. This approach can help students overcome language barriers, reduce anxiety, and develop their communication skills in a controlled and supportive environment.

Healthcare Interpreting in Emergency Departments: Importance of Healthcare Interpreters in the Communicational Process of Foreign Patients and Physicians

This study aims to investigate the role of healthcare interpreters in overcoming language barriers in Emergency Departments from the perspective of emergency physicians in Türkiye. Although there is a limited number of studies focusing on healthcare interpreting in EDs, they do not evaluate the opinions of ED physicians. Therefore, this study will be a pioneer research analyzing the importance of healthcare interpreting from the perspective of ED physicians in Türkiye. For this purpose, a questionnaire comprising 14 questions was prepared through the survey method to collect the opinions of emergency physicians about communication problems with foreign patients. The convenience sampling method was used to determine the study group consisting of 102 emergency physicians. The data was analyzed with descriptive analysis techniques by calculating the arithmetic mean and frequencies. After the data analysis process, it was found that communication problems in EDs lead to prolonged duration of taking anamnesis, delays in diagnosis, treatment, and discharge, extensive medical examinations, and unnecessary use of medical resources.

Enhancing Student Vocabulary Proficiency through the Effective Implementation of Multimodal Approaches

Language barriers in educational settings can hinder effective communication and impede language learning, particularly when students cannot speak English fluently, and teachers struggle to understand the students' native languages. This study explores the efficacy of multimodal approaches to overcome language barriers and enhance vocabulary learning in a school with limited English language instruction. The identified problem encompasses students lacking vocabulary and English speaking abilities due to the language barrier and insufficient language learning opportunities. To address these challenges, a solution involving multimodal techniques through pictures, bingo games, mix-and-match games, PowerPoint presentations, and Google Translate was implemented. The research adopts a Class Action Research (CAR) methodology, allowing collaborative efforts with participants to implement multimodal strategies effectively. Observations and assessments were conducted to measure changes in students' vocabulary proficiency and language skills after the intervention. Additionally, qualitative data was gathered through interviews with ten students from the highest rank to gain insights into their experiences with multimodal approaches.

Large language models such as ChatGPT and GPT-4 for patient-centered care in radiology

With the introduction of ChatGPT in late November 2022, large language models based on artificial intelligence have gained worldwide recognition. These language models are trained on vast amounts of data, enabling them to process complex tasks in seconds and provide detailed, high-level text-based responses. To provide an overview of the most widely discussed large language models, ChatGPT and GPT‑4, with afocus on potential applications for patient-centered radiology. APubMed search of both large language models was performed using the terms "ChatGPT" and "GPT-4", with subjective selection and completion in the form of anarrative review. The generic nature of language models holds great promise for radiology, enabling both patients and referrers to facilitate understanding of radiological findings, overcome language barriers, and improve the quality of informed consent discussions. This could represent asignificant step towards patient-centered or person-centered radiology. Large language models represent apromising tool for improving the communication of findings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workflow in radiology. However, important privacy issues and the reliable applicability of these models in medicine remain to be addressed.

Multilingual personalized hashtag recommendation for low resource Indic languages using graph-based deep neural network

Users from different cultures and backgrounds often feel comfortable expressing their thoughts on trending topics by generating content in their regional languages. Recently, there has been an explosion in multilingual information, and a massive amount of multilingual textual data is added daily on the Internet. Using hashtags for multilingual low-resource content can be an effective way to overcome language barriers because it allows content to be discovered by a wider audience and makes it easier for people interested in the topic to find relevant content, regardless of the language in which it was written. To account for linguistic diversity and universal access to information, hashtag recommendation for multilingual low-resource content is essential. Several approaches have been put forth to recommend content-based and personalized hashtags for multimodal content in high-resource languages. Data availability and linguistic differences often limit the development of hashtag recommendation methods for low-resource Indic languages. Hashtag recommendation for tweets disseminated in low-resource Indic languages has seldom been addressed. Moreover, personalization and language usage aspects to recommend hashtags for tweets posted in low-resource Indic languages have yet to be explored. In view of the foregoing, we propose an automated hashtag recommendation system for tweets posted in low-resource Indic languages dubbed as TAGALOG, capable of recommending personalized and language-specific hashtags. We employ user-guided and language-guided attention mechanisms to distill indicative features from low-resource tweets according to the user’s topical and linguistic preferences. We propose a graph-based neural network to mine users’ posting behavior by connecting historical tweets of a particular user and language relatedness by linking tweets according to language families, i.e., Indo-Aryan and Dravidian. Experimental results on the curated dataset from Twitter demonstrate that the proposed model outperformed recognized pre-trained language models and extant research, showing an average improvement of 12.3% and 12.8% in the F1-score, respectively. TAGALOG recommends hashtags that align with the user’s interests and linguistic predilections, leading to a heightened level of tailored and engaging user experience. Personalized and multilingual hashtag recommendation systems for low-resource Indic languages can help to improve the discoverability and relevance of content in these languages.

Artificial Intelligence text generators for overcoming language barriers in ecological research communication

AbstractLanguage barriers can impede the dissemination of research findings, restrict collaboration and exclude non‐English‐speaking researchers from the global scientific community. To overcome this challenge, we explore the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) text generators to assist non‐anglophone researchers in producing high‐quality academic texts for publication in scientific journals, with a focus on the field of ecological research. These tools can produce grammatically correct, coherent and contextually appropriate text, improving scientific communication quality. Improving scientific communication is vital in Ecology, where research findings can have important implications for the environment and public policy. GenAI text generators can generate summaries of research findings, abstracts and social media posts promoting research findings. Nonetheless, researchers must exercise caution and use these tools together with human review and editing to ensure accuracy and clarity. As natural language processing and machine learning continue to evolve, the use of GenAI text generators in scientific communication is poised to become increasingly important.

Using Nominal Group Technique to Explore Publication Challenges and the Usefulness of AI-Based Writing Technologies: Insights From Indonesian Scholars

In the current academia landscape, academics, particularly those from non-native English speaking (NNES) countries, face formidable challenges in gaining publication in reputable international journals. The dominance of English as the language of scientific dissemination, coupled with limited resources and research infrastructure, hinders NNES academics from meeting the standards of high-impact journals. This issue is particularly pronounced in Indonesia, where most scholars face the additional challenge of conducting research in Bahasa Indonesia and writing manuscripts in English. The purposes of this study were to elicit the obstacles encountered by Indonesian scholars in gaining international publication, and the extent to which the advancement of AI-based writing technologies can provide solution. The study is expected to provide valuable insights into their experiences and contributing to a better understanding of the publishing landscape in Indonesia. The study utilized the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to capture the opinions of four Indonesian academics pursuing their doctoral degrees overseas. The findings highlight the need for user-friendly, comprehensive technology solutions, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based software and applications, to assist academics in English academic writing in the Indonesian context. Despite the limitations of current digital writing assistants, they are recommended as useful aids in overcoming language barriers. Access to human consultants was unanimously considered crucial. Initiatives such as advocating for multilingualism and providing language editing services, as well as the availability of online resources and support, are important steps towards addressing disparities in academic publishing. The findings of this research have the potential to inform policies and initiatives aimed at supporting and promoting Indonesian academics in their pursuit of reputable international publications.

Multilingual News Search—A Comparative User Study of Desktop and Mobile Interfaces

With the global expansion of the Internet and the World Wide Web, users are becoming increasingly diverse, including their language proficiencies. In particular, there is now a significant number of polyglot Web users, i.e., users who are proficient in more than one language. However, even such users with potential access to a broad range of information from multiple languages often continue to suffer from unbalanced and fragmented news information, as traditional news access systems seldom allow users to simultaneously search for and/or compare news in different languages. To overcome language barriers, the majority of research has focused primarily on improving retrieval and translation accuracy, while paying comparably less attention to multilingual user interaction aspects. In particular, relatively little human-centered research has been conducted to better understand and support multilingual user abilities and preferences, and even less so regarding news search and different access modalities (such as desktop and mobile interfaces). The research presented in this article provides the first comparative analyses of polyglot users’ preferences and behaviors with respect to different multilingual news search interfaces on both desktop and mobile platforms. Specifically, through a set of task-based user studies in laboratory experiments, the key contribution of this article is the presentation of the first human-centered studies in multilingual news search result interfaces, aiming to drive the development of human-centered multilingual news access systems for both desktop and mobile platforms. This contribution includes a detailed analysis of different interface design paradigms, as well as a series of implications for design.

Language barriers, corporate site visit, and analyst forecast accuracy

This study examines the impact of language barriers on financial analysts’ decisions to perform corporate site visits and the extent to which corporate site visits help analysts overcome language barriers to improve earnings forecast accuracy. Using a sample of analysts’ visits to listed firms on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, we find that analysts are more likely to visit firms headquartered in areas where local dialects are largely different from Standard Mandarin. Moreover, corporate site visits increase analysts’ forecast accuracy more for those firms. Altogether, the findings suggest that language barriers create difficulties for analysts in obtaining information via verbal communication, and corporate site visits help analysts reduce the communication noise.

Psychological Impact of Languages on the Human Mind: Research on the Contribution of Psycholinguistics Approach to Teaching and Learning English.

Language is one of the essential elements of communication. Learning some common language can help people overcome language barriers between people from different countries. English is one of the common languages and it helps individuals adapt to the modern world. Learning the English language is beneficial through teaching methods developed based on Psycholinguistics principles. Four languages are taught by the approach of psycholinguistics that are (to listen, to read, to write and to speak).Psycholinguistics is the integration of psychology (the study of the mind) and linguistics (the study of language). Hence, Psycholinguistics is the study of mind and language. It investigates the procedure taking place in the brain while the perception and creation of language. It studies the psychological impact of languages on the human mind. Recent research focuses on Psycholinguistics theories and talks over the significant impact of psycholinguistics techniques in English Language studying and training. Psycholinguistic studies are based on various ways of responding in a fundamental way and are based on evidence. This study contributes to our understanding of the importance of psychological approaches in teaching and learning English.

Using Simulations to Help Public Health Students Overcome Language Barriers for Better Health Outcomes.

Growing migration into Norway has increasingly strained the country's health services. Good communication is essential to ensure quality care. Often, healthcare workers and immigrant clients do not share a common language, and it is known that the conditions and expectations of immigrant clients can be different from the majority population. This study aimed to explore the viability of utilizing simulations as a pedagogical tool for educating public health students in effectively navigating a multicultural environment to promote better health outcomes. This study is a component of an extra-curricular training project that utilized a convergent mixed-methods design. The present study focuses on reporting the qualitative component of the findings. The data collection process encompassed the implementation of a stepwise simulation exercise with case-based clinical scenarios focusing on three lifestyle diseases specifically designed for this study. Method triangulation was achieved by using different methodological approaches in the analysis. Our results show the importance of simulation training for healthcare students when working with clients who do not share the same language. Interactions with clients of different backgrounds must be practiced, and simulations can be used to improve healthcare students' communication skills. The study highlights the need for healthcare education programs to integrate cultural competence simulation training and broaden the scope of medical training to address culturally challenging encounters.

ROLE OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE FORMATION IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES TO STUDENTS OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM SPECIALTIES

In this article, the authors argue that mastering a foreign language is closely related to acquiring national culture, which involves acquiring cultural knowledge, developing the ability and willingness to understand the mentality of native speakers of the language being studied, as well as the peculiarities of the communicative behavior of the people of the country. Achieving a new, modern quality of education, orientation towards the development of students' foreign language socio-cultural competence, and their cognitive and creative abilities is one of the main tasks of modern education. The socio-cultural component in the content of foreign language teaching allows students to become familiar with the cultural heritage of the country whose language is being studied to compare it with the cultural values of their own country, which contributes to the formation of students' general culture. In the process of analyzing the methods mentioned above, their influence on the process of organizing and the effectiveness of learning, as well as in the development of a course in tourism, the authors concluded that such forms of work as project work, practical classes in the form of excursions, and the wide application of role-playing games could be called active forms of work in the classroom. They contribute to the most excellent involvement of students in the learning process and, therefore, to its assimilation. Thanks to this approach, students learn the so-called spoken anticipation, i.e., memorize and work out grammatically correct phrases to support conversation (ordering food in a restaurant, shopping in a store, passing through customs, etc.) without delving into grammar. The course also includes practical lessons with native speakers, as they contribute to the formation of correct stress and intonation, teach students to perceive the language by ear, and will be highly relevant for overcoming the language barrier. The authors concluded that using these methods and techniques in English classes contributes to the expansion and deepening of knowledge of the English language at a sufficient level to navigate in the field of tourism and hospitality. The developed methodologies will be effective for teaching project work skills, developing proper pronunciation, assisting students to overcome language barriers, and learning how to confidently and comfortably engage in conversation with foreign guests on various topics (such as the traditions and culture of the country, city landmarks, etc.).

Lost in translation? Information quality in pediatric pre-hospital medical emergencies with a language barrier in Germany

BackgroundIn pediatric medical emergencies, paramedics and emergency physicians must often rely on the information of third parties, often caregivers, to gather information. Failing to obtain relevant information may lead to misinterpretation of symptoms and subsequent errors in decision making and clinical treatment. Thus, children and/or caregivers with limited proficiency of the locally spoken language may be at risk for medical errors. This study analyzes logs of rescue missions to determine whether paramedics could obtain essential information from German-speaking and foreign-language children and their caregivers.MethodsWe conducted a secondary data analysis based on retrospective data on pediatric patients of four emergency medical services (EMS) stations in Northern Germany. We defined language discordance with communication difficulties as main exposure. We used documentation quality as outcome defined as existing information on (a) pre-existing conditions, (b) current medication, and (c) events prior to the medical emergency. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, simple regression and multivariable regression. As multivariable regression model, a logistic regression was applied with documentation quality as dependent variable and language discordance with communication difficulties as independent variable adjusted for age, sex and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).ResultsData from 1,430 pediatric rescue missions were analyzed with 3.1% (n = 45) having a language discordance with communication difficulties. Patients in the pediatric foreign-language group were younger compared to German-speaking patients. Thorough documentation was more frequent in German-speaking patients than in patients in the foreign-language group. Pre-existing conditions and events prior to the medical emergency were considerably more often documented in German-speaking than for foreign-language patients. Documentation of medication did not differ between these groups. The adjustment of sex, age and GCS in the multivariable analysis did not change the results.ConclusionLanguage barriers are hindering paramedics to obtain relevant information in pediatric pre-hospital emergencies. This jeopardizes the safe provision of paramedic care to children who themselves or their caregivers are not fluent in German language. Further research should focus on feasible ways to overcome language barriers in pre-hospital emergencies.Trial registrationThis is a retrospective secondary data analysis of a study that was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (No. DRKS00016719), 08/02/2019.

Navigating the Impact of ChatGPT/GPT4 on Legal Academic Examinations: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations

AbstractIn this paper we explore the impact and implications of AI-driven language systems like ChatGPT/GP-T4 on academic paper writing in the context of universities and other higher educational institutions. We discuss the role of ChatGPT/GPT-4 in aiding students and researchers to streamline the writing process, overcome language barriers, and enhance productivity, while also analysing the potential risks of AI-generated content such as plagiarism, loss of critical thinking skills, and reduced creativity in academic writing. To address namely the issue of paraphrasing plagiarism facilitated by tools like ChatGPT/GPT-4, strengthening plagiarism detection methods might be a solution. However, it is crucial to promote awareness among students and researchers regarding the ethical implications of using AI in academic writing. In the future, the qualification of a text written with ChatGPT/GPT-4 will become more questionable as the border between plagiarism and automated creation is no longer clear. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of proper AI system usage and control, as well as the development of critical skills required to succeed in future professional settings. We propose various strategies for educational institutions to address these concerns and maximize the potential of AI tools, including promoting ethical AI usage, incorporating AI into the educational curriculum, and developing guidelines and regulations surrounding the use of AI in academic settings. By embracing and guiding the integration of AI technologies like ChatGPT/GPT-4 in academic paper writing, institutions can empower students and researchers to harness the full potential of these tools while maintaining academic integrity, fostering the development of critical skills, and supporting the international competitiveness of non-native English speakers in academic research.Keywords: ChatGPT; Plagiarism; University examinations; AI-assisted writing; Legal education.

Overcoming language barriers: An exploration of the police perceptions of the digitisation of witness statements in South Africa

The research identified instances were the English version of sworn statements was an inaccurate translation of the indigenous statement provided by a witness or complainant. The inaccurate translation of indigenous witness statements is a global phenomenon that manifests against the backdrop of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This study was conducted to explore police experiences of taking indigenous witness statements, and to establish their perceptions of the digitisation of witness statements. Purposive sampling was used for sampling. Interview schedules were administered to eighteen (18) South African Police Service (SAPS) members from nine Community Service Centres (CSC) in Soweto, a township in the Gauteng province. Ethical consideration, measures of trustworthiness and the Theory of Performance (ToP) were applied. The ToP provides that a person’s level of performance is dependent on the interaction of various contextual factors. Thematic content analysis was conducted using Atlas ti resulting in five dominant themes or impact factors namely “skills”, “collaboration”, “resources”, “duration” and “language”. Results showed that a majority of the SAPS members perceived that witness statements should be digitised to address language challenges experienced and improve their level of performance. Furthermore, they perceived the usefulness of technology in modernising outdated resources in the SAPS.

HGR-ViT: Hand Gesture Recognition with Vision Transformer

Hand gesture recognition (HGR) is a crucial area of research that enhances communication by overcoming language barriers and facilitating human-computer interaction. Although previous works in HGR have employed deep neural networks, they fail to encode the orientation and position of the hand in the image. To address this issue, this paper proposes HGR-ViT, a Vision Transformer (ViT) model with an attention mechanism for hand gesture recognition. Given a hand gesture image, it is first split into fixed size patches. Positional embedding is added to these embeddings to form learnable vectors that capture the positional information of the hand patches. The resulting sequence of vectors are then served as the input to a standard Transformer encoder to obtain the hand gesture representation. A multilayer perceptron head is added to the output of the encoder to classify the hand gesture to the correct class. The proposed HGR-ViT obtains an accuracy of 99.98%, 99.36% and 99.85% for the American Sign Language (ASL) dataset, ASL with Digits dataset, and National University of Singapore (NUS) hand gesture dataset, respectively.