My relative who is from Broome – Yawuru Language Group, is currently in hospital and my cousin had told me a story about what had happened during her patient change time.
A nurse who has been EXCELLENT with my relative was using local Yawuru language to communicate, which is a REALLY good thing. But she used the same language when attending to another indigenous patient from the Fitzroy Valley area – Wangkatjungka/Walmatjarri Language groups. This is not appropriate as the language she used was not understood by the patient and sometimes can cause unwanted behaviour and even be offensive.
To explain how this can be offensive: languages throughout the Kimberley and Australia often use the same words but have different meanings.
For example:
Jandu – In Bunuba this word means Family but in Yawuru this word means woman.
Munga – In Walmatjarri and in the Fitzroy Valley region this word means girl but in one of the NT languages, this word is used to swear at a woman.
It’s great when staff use words that patients understand but this means that staff need to be aware of who they are talking to and where they come from and maybe ask them for the appropriate word to use.
"Cultural language used by staff"
About: Broome Health Campus Broome Health Campus Broome 6725
Posted by Minyany (as ),
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