Communication between a duck and a chicken
In a multilingual society, communication can be a challenge in our hospitals. Our main languages are English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. I learned a few simple Tamil words too.
Below was my experience communicating with an Indian estate worker who was admitted for a head injury. These were part of the neurological assessment on him.
“Open your mouth.” No response. “Buka mulut (in Malay).” No response. “Via to reh” he opened his mouth! He understood and obeyed the command! “
“Alright close your mouth.”But his mouth was still opened. “Tutup mulut (in Malay).” But his mouth was still open. I didn’t know how to say ‘close your mouth’ in Tamil. I had to physically close his mouth shut!
“Now hold my hands tightly.” No response.
“Pegang tangan kuat kuat (in Malay).” No response.
“Kai pu di” and he held my hands tightly! Proud to show that his hands were strong! There was obviously no weakness in his upper limbs.
“Okay, okay, let go, let go!” How to say ‘let go’ in Tamil? Ouch, ouch, I winced in pain. He saw it. So he let go of my hands!
Some of the young hospital staff I met were able to say some simple words in other languages like ‘what is your name?’ ‘any pain?’ ‘Have you eaten?’ Etc.
Most hospitals nowadays have interpreters as we have more international patients like Japanese, Korean, Arabs, etc.
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Quote:-
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker.
Chen Song Ping 