Handout What is an Interpreter? A person who facilitates accurate communication between people speaking different languages and to ensure understanding. Use interpreters to communicate with the family and when performing assessments and evaluations What is a translator? Translators convert written materials from one language into another. They must have excellent writing and analytical ability, and because the translations that they produce must be accurate, they also need good editing skills” What is a cultural broker? Jezewski (1990), defined culture broking as “the act of bridging, linking or mediating between groups or persons of differing cultural backgrounds for the purpose of reducing conflict or producing change.” (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Handout-Tips when working with diverse cultures Research the history of the culture. ( Learn as much as you can about the population you work with for example songs / rhymes / games) Do not make assumptions. Leave stereotypes at the door and beware of hidden biases. When in doubt, ask; you can learn a lot from the families you work with. Look for the unique cultural and spiritual strengths of the families you work with. Form relationships with key members of the cultural group you work with (interpreters, educators, spiritual leaders etc.) who can help you navigate the culture and provide ongoing consultation. Seek ways to participate with the community during both celebrations and tragedies. ( Based on the recommendations from the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention)
Handout - Never Make Assumptions About Cultural Beliefs: Culture is learned, never rigid and is constantly changing. It must be passed down from one generation to the next in order to continue. Factors like globalization, education, migration, changes to religious affiliation as well assimilation into a new country influence how and if cultural beliefs and values are passed down to the newer generations. Customs and values can vary widely from country to country or from one region to another within a country due to factors such as: age, socioeconomic status, country’s history. gender, religion, geographic location, level of education and ethnic or racial identification and ancestors country of origin (among others). For example: not all Latinos celebrate cinco de Mayo,use healers or eat tacos. Many times professionals choose to guess or assume cultural customs and values based on previous experiences or information gained from another person. When in doubt, it is best to ask the family being served. Generalizations can help us to understand behavior and should not be use as stereotypes. The information provided in this presentation aims to provide a means to understand the beliefs and values of Some of the members of the Latino/Hispanic culture that you may encounter in your practice.
Handout - Never Make Assumptions About Cultural Beliefs-2: It is problematic to try to describe an entire cultural group because it may create or reinforce stereotypes. We must remember that even though Latinos share many characteristics, the terms Latino and Hispanic stand for a large and varied group of individuals. Countries and regions have different languages and dialects and are often ethnically and racially diverse