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Chapter 4. English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare

Communicative experiences of expatriate healthcare providers in Windhoek
  • Nelson Mlambo
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The Dynamics of English in Namibia
This chapter is in the book The Dynamics of English in Namibia

Abstract

This chapter investigates the role of English in the communicative practices among multilingual participants in healthcare in Windhoek, Namibia, from the perspective of expatriate healthcare practitioners working in the private sector. It provides insights into the use of English in Namibia and informs about the multilingual communicative resources and needs from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs). The chapter illustrates that expatriate multilingual HCPs, working in a multilingual context, find the linguistic diversity at their workplace both challenging and enriching. They experience the use of English and many other languages to be an engagement that broadens their professional, social, and cultural views and this ultimately results in improved work relations and improved HCP-patient relationships.

Abstract

This chapter investigates the role of English in the communicative practices among multilingual participants in healthcare in Windhoek, Namibia, from the perspective of expatriate healthcare practitioners working in the private sector. It provides insights into the use of English in Namibia and informs about the multilingual communicative resources and needs from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs). The chapter illustrates that expatriate multilingual HCPs, working in a multilingual context, find the linguistic diversity at their workplace both challenging and enriching. They experience the use of English and many other languages to be an engagement that broadens their professional, social, and cultural views and this ultimately results in improved work relations and improved HCP-patient relationships.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents vii
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Chapter 1. The dynamics of English in Namibia 1
  5. Part I. Setting the scene
  6. Chapter 2. English in Namibia 21
  7. Part II. Communicative practices
  8. Chapter 3. Voices from the post-independence classroom 45
  9. Chapter 4. English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare 63
  10. Chapter 5. The linguistic landscape and soundscape of Windhoek 83
  11. Part III. Linguistic features
  12. Chapter 6. The phonetics of Namibian English 111
  13. Chapter 7. Broadcasting your variety 135
  14. Chapter 8. The question of structural nativization in Namibian English 169
  15. Chapter 9. A variational pragmatic approach to responses to thanks in Namibian English 195
  16. Part IV. Literary creativity in Namibian English
  17. Chapter 10. Namibian literature in English 219
  18. Chapter 11. A land in transition 241
  19. Part V. Namibian English and beyond
  20. Chapter 12. The dynamics of English in Namibia 275
  21. Index 299
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g65.04mla

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents vii
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Chapter 1. The dynamics of English in Namibia 1
  5. Part I. Setting the scene
  6. Chapter 2. English in Namibia 21
  7. Part II. Communicative practices
  8. Chapter 3. Voices from the post-independence classroom 45
  9. Chapter 4. English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare 63
  10. Chapter 5. The linguistic landscape and soundscape of Windhoek 83
  11. Part III. Linguistic features
  12. Chapter 6. The phonetics of Namibian English 111
  13. Chapter 7. Broadcasting your variety 135
  14. Chapter 8. The question of structural nativization in Namibian English 169
  15. Chapter 9. A variational pragmatic approach to responses to thanks in Namibian English 195
  16. Part IV. Literary creativity in Namibian English
  17. Chapter 10. Namibian literature in English 219
  18. Chapter 11. A land in transition 241
  19. Part V. Namibian English and beyond
  20. Chapter 12. The dynamics of English in Namibia 275
  21. Index 299
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