Home
10 min read

Overcoming the language barrier: my experience of translating for patients

Rahma Safouan - Student Nurse First published: Last updated:
Communication is a human need and language is the means we use to communicate with others, from relaying a simple message to expressing our thoughts and feelings. In addition to this, language itself can range from verbal (speaking using sound) to nonverbal (sign language and Makaton).

Communication is a first-year module that every student nurse is sure to encounter. It is an important subject for most professions but does not necessarily receive the desired amount of interest, as its theory can at times seem dull. Nonetheless, my time on clinical placements in different wards emphasised the importance of communication and how it shapes service users’ experiences.

Personal Experience

Growing up in a multicultural place like Gibraltar, I have been exposed to a multitude of cultures and languages owing to its rich history and location. Most residents are bilingual—English and Spanish can be interchanged in the same sentence. Being

To view the rest of this content login below or request a demo

Log in

Rahma Safouan

Rahma Safouan is a student nurse.

Related articles

10 min read Add

The other silent killer: homelessness

6 min read Add

Best interests: legal and ethical definitions

View all