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ERIC Number: EJ1242257
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-4632
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Switching of Language Varieties in Saudi Multilingual Hospitals: Insiders' Experiences
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, v41 n2 p175-189 2020
Different languages, dialects, accents, or other forms of language (a.k.a. codes or varieties of language) are used in various healthcare facilities around the world. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the switching of varieties in healthcare environments. Hospitals in Saudi Arabia are multilingual and multicultural workplaces, where people of diverse nationalities either work or visit as patients. This study investigated codeswitching phenomenon in Saudi hospitals from the experiences of the healthcare workforce and patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 participants with various nationalities, mother tongues, and work roles in a government hospital. The interviews data were transcribed and qualitatively analysed. Analysis results show that different unique types of varieties are used in the Saudi hospital due to the background characteristics of its workforce and patients. Moreover, the analysis reveals several motives for the mixture of language varieties in the healthcare industry. These motives can be obligatory and, in most cases, optional. The findings also show positive and negative attitudes toward the language varieties alternation. However, the attitudes of the participants are mostly positive because they believe that the codeswitching and codes mixing increases their work efficiency. This study thus recommends further investigation on the use of various varieties in healthcare facilities around the world.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Saudi Arabia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A