Cross cultural communication is not merely about language, it is also about recognising a different world view.
Barriers to communication have serious implications on community health, which can be averted by recognising not only language differences, but differences in world view.
13 years search of Yolnu man, of reasons why bad kidneys, enlarged heart, why should he give up sugar, salt, cigarettes; doctors, specialists 'could not tell him'.
Trudgeon visited doctor with man and applied his knowledge of both language and world view to communicate between them.
Language - some words from one language do not exist in the other.
World view - each a product of many environmental and historical factors.
World view problems:
- authority of doctor, patient would not question doctor or diagnosis
- language, recording of information - understanding v. memorising words
- misunderstanding role/relationships within Yolnu/Western cultures
- unable to explain nature of illness by other than medical terms
- questioning (authority, respect)
- unfamiliar/unknown units of measurement
- assumption of pre-knowledge
- nature of providing information
Language problems:
- conclusively
- 'thick blood'
Understanding of world view essential even if language not a problem.
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