A LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

In February of 2006, the Joslin Diabetes Center (an affiliate with Harvard Medical School) released an article discussing the language barrier experienced by Chinese Americans, which is preventing them from clearly understanding the issues regarding their health.

Although they acknowledge the fact that translators and bilingual staff are being used, Joslin states that that is simply not enough; according to a study conducted by researchers in the Joslin Diabetes Center:

"these patients also need comprehensive patient education materials written in Chinese and a medical staff thoroughly versed in the customs and cultural issues that may impede their diabetes care" (Joslin Diabetes Center)

The researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center conducted surveys of 52 Chinese American immigrants from ages 18-70, all of whom had been diagnosed with type II diabetes for at least a year and were taking medication.  Those surveyed were divided between their preference towards speaking English and Chinese, and were then quizzed on their knowledge of diabetes.  Of the 52 people, the Chinese-speaking group scored a 63% understanding of diabetes, while the English group scored 85%.  

The subjects were then given books, written in English and Chinese to comply with their specific groups, explaining diabetes.  After reading the books, the Chinese group reported having an increased understanding of diabetes.  

The issue that this study explored is that translating information from English to Chinese is not enough.  Because the Chinese culture is different from American culture, translating text from English to Chinese does not necessarily provide Chinese Americans with material they can understand and relate to.  The article gives the example of diet; a dietitian who is unfamiliar with Asian American food could prescribe their patient to eat foods that are not normally consumed, such as pasta and cheese, without ever addressing foods that are more central to the Asian diet.  

Thus, more needs to be done in order to better aid the Chinese American population.  Rather than just translating English text to Chinese, the text needs to be written in Chinese specifically geared to Chinese Americans so that they can understand what they are going through and can take better care of themselves.