Cultural Awareness Hispanic & Vietnamese Culture Bridging Differences

Interpreter Language Services Interpreter Language Services Spanish Interpreters and Translators:Spanish Interpreters and Translators: Vietnamese Interpreters and Translators:Vietnamese Interpreters and Translators:

Vietnamese Culture & Customs People Language Family Child Care and Rearing Celebration, Commemorations None Verbal Patterns & Meaning Communication Styles Health Care

People: List Family name first, then middle, first name lastList Family name first, then middle, first name last More than a million in Europe, North America, AustraliaMore than a million in Europe, North America, Australia Primary RegionsPrimary Regions –North –Central –South MigrationMigration –First wave, 1975 –Second wave, 1978 –Third wave, 1992

Language: Vietnamese Spoken language Written (Alexandre de Rhodes) People from different regions different accents Tendency to keep problems private, avoid asking for help until too late

Family Most Important Unit Several Generations live together Elders taken care in the home Family Honor Older Siblings responsible Parent expect to see respect in children

Child Caring & Rearing Mother or Mother-in- law is the principal person who assist, observe and apply rulesMother or Mother-in- law is the principal person who assist, observe and apply rules

Pre,Post-natal rules: Pre-natal Rules –Walk Slowly –Not to sleep too much –Avoid funerals, horror stories... Post-natal Rules: –No bath or shower –Avoid wind –Keep warm for at least three months

Celebrations & Commemorations Full Month after birth First birthday Death Anniversary Full moon celebration Lunar New Year

Nonverbal Patterns NoddingNodding Shaking one’s handShaking one’s hand Touching child’s headTouching child’s head WinkingWinking FrowningFrowning PoutingPouting

Communication Styles Suppress Hostility Smiling is a common social response to mark a variety of reactions A “yes” answer may only indicate attention from listener

Health Care Self-MedicationSelf-Medication Mental illness is considered shamefulMental illness is considered shameful Greatest stress for elders arise from lack of English and Economic dependencyGreatest stress for elders arise from lack of English and Economic dependency A common practice done by rubbing back, chest, neck with menthol oil can be mistaken by abuseA common practice done by rubbing back, chest, neck with menthol oil can be mistaken by abuse Women prefer female providersWomen prefer female providers

Hispanic Culture Language FamilyFamily HealthHealth Major Causes of IllnessMajor Causes of Illness TreatmentsTreatments

Objective To become more sensitive to the crucial fact that multiple factors underlie patients behaviors. Patients may well perceive and understand health and illness from quite a different perspective than that of a healthcare providerTo become more sensitive to the crucial fact that multiple factors underlie patients behaviors. Patients may well perceive and understand health and illness from quite a different perspective than that of a healthcare provider

Language: Spanish Alternatives name Spoken in 43 countries Distinct Accents & Dialects Originated VI Century BC

Family: Base of SocietyBase of Society Older Siblings take care of younger childrenOlder Siblings take care of younger children Man head of householdMan head of household School not affordableSchool not affordable

Health: Pure Luck Reward for good behavior Punishment meted out for wrongdoing Lack of Pain=Health

Major Causes of Illness Body’s Imbalance – “Hot and Cold” or “Dry or Wet” Dislocation of Body Part – Empacho, Sobadora, Caida de Mollera Magic or Supernatural – Embrujado, Mal de Ojo, Susto Envidia--Envy – Succeed is to fail

Treatments: Religious RitualsReligious Rituals – Making Promises – Visiting shrines, religious pilgrimages – Offering prayers CuranderoCurandero –Folk healer Herbs,oils, perfumes, massages, limpias, confession… Herbs,oils, perfumes, massages, limpias, confession…

Awareness: Yourself –Explore own identity Listen Body language Facial expressions Medical Culture –Scientific –Medical View Point

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