“What's your operation for next week?” “I don't know.”

Communication barriers

This heading is from a conversation I once had with an Aboriginal lady in Darwin. I thought it was strange, and sad, that she didn't know what her surgery was for, but apparently it's quite common. While in Maningrida, I got to read some more of the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die. I definitely regret not reading it sooner! It goes through many of the reasons for miscommunication with speakers of Indigenous languages - both language and cultural barriers that they are forced to face every day.

• Asking questions is considered rude (because it's up to those with the information to decide who to share it with)

• People find speaking English exhausting

• There are no comprehensive dictionaries or Google Translate options for Indigenous Australian languages

• People feel stupid when they don't understand, so they nod and smile to get through

• People don't have the background knowledge about many medical matters that's assumed

• People are great at memorising what the doctor said, but that doesn't indicate understanding

• Most non-Indigenous workers receive no language or culture training

Richard Trudgen writes, "[There is an] immense communication problem that exists between the medical professionals and their clients. In my experience alone, a large number of Yolngu [Indigenous Australians from North East Arnhem Land] have found that they have been involved in operations they knew nothing about, or in which what they thought would happen was completely different from what did happen. There are many legal and moral ramifications here."

Please pray for improved training for people working with speakers of Indigenous languages, and for increased awareness of communication issues on both sides, and opportunities for effective health education.