Communication Barrier Caused By Varied Language Competence

Communication barrier that results from varied language competency among employees in the public sector is a challenge to the effective discharge of duty by the employees

Effective communication is fundamental to the efficient functioning of public sector organizations, particularly in multicultural and multilingual societies. The problem statement of this study addresses the significant challenges posed by communication barriers stemming from varied language competencies among employees in the public sector, which hinder their capacity to perform duties effectively. The issue is especially critical within healthcare services where clear, precise communication directly impacts patient outcomes and service quality.

Understanding the background, competency in language is a vital factor influencing employee productivity across all sectors. In multilingual environments, language proficiency affects how well employees can discharge their duties, collaborate with colleagues, and serve diverse populations. Literature consistently demonstrates that limited language skills among public sector workers, especially in healthcare, result in decreased productivity, poorer service delivery, and increased disparities in health outcomes. For instance, Davila, Bohara, and Saenz (1993) underscore how accent and language proficiency are linked to earnings, illustrating that language barriers can produce economic disadvantages for employees lacking adequate language skills.

Research has shown that language proficiency impacts not only earnings but also integration into the workforce, particularly among minority groups such as Hispanics in the United States. Cooney and Ortiz (1983) highlight that English proficiency is crucial for successful workforce integration, impacting participation rates and earning potential. These findings suggest that employees who do not meet language competency standards are at an inherent disadvantage, facing limited opportunities for advancement and, in some cases, exclusion from certain roles altogether.

Within the healthcare sector, language competency plays a pivotal role in effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. Pillay (2011) emphasizes that language skills are among the essential competencies for nurses to discharge management and caregiving roles effectively. The inability to communicate clearly with patients, particularly those from diverse linguistic backgrounds, hampers the quality of care, increases misunderstandings, and compromises patient safety. Such barriers impede not only patient-provider communication but also interprofessional collaboration, essential for comprehensive healthcare delivery.

Similarly, social workers operating in multicultural settings face unique challenges. Barrera and Corso (2002) argue that social workers must overcome language barriers to provide effective support to children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Inadequate language proficiency leads to miscommunication, reduced trust, and compromised service quality, contributing to disparities in social services for minority populations. Parthab Taylor, Nicolle, and Maguire (2013) further elaborate that language deficiencies hinder cross-cultural communication in healthcare, obstructing accurate diagnosis, treatment adherence, and overall patient satisfaction.

The importance of addressing language barriers is substantiated by efforts to develop tools aimed at improving communication. Davies and Milligan (2013) describe the development of language identification tools designed to enhance service delivery by accurately recognizing employees' language proficiency levels. Such tools facilitate targeted interventions, including language training or positioning employees in roles suited to their language skills, ultimately improving public service effectiveness.

The influx of immigrants into the United States over the past decade has accentuated the importance of language proficiency in the workplace. Employers increasingly recognize that cross-cultural communication skills are essential for workforce performance, especially in public sectors like healthcare, social services, and public administration. The ability of employees to communicate effectively with diverse populations is critical for reducing disparities, enhancing service delivery, and improving organizational outcomes.

Language barriers in healthcare have broader implications for health disparities, particularly among minority populations. August, Nguyen, Ngo-Metzger, and Sorkin (2011) highlight that language discordance between minority patients and healthcare providers can adversely affect communication, leading to misdiagnosis, medication errors, and poorer health outcomes. These barriers also impact patient satisfaction and trust, further complicating healthcare delivery in multicultural societies. Schenker, Smith, Arnold, and Fernandez (2012) emphasize that reliance on interpreters, while helpful, is costly and can introduce inconsistencies and inaccuracies, underscoring the need for providers to attain adequate language competencies themselves.

In the context of public administration, language competency is intertwined with the principles of effective governance and service delivery. When employees lack proficiency in the languages spoken by constituents, it hampers their ability to engage effectively, understand community needs, and communicate policies or services clearly. Consequently, government agencies must prioritize language training and assessment to ensure their workforce can serve diverse populations efficiently.

Addressing communication barriers through improved language competency has significant implications. Implementing language training programs, utilizing technological tools for language identification and translation, and fostering cultural competence are strategies shown to mitigate communication challenges. For example, Pomeroy and Nonaka (2013) advocate for integrating social work and healthcare communication training that emphasizes language and cultural skills to enhance professional practice. Such initiatives not only improve individual employee performance but also elevate the overall quality of public service delivery.

In conclusion, the influence of language competency on public sector employees’ effectiveness is profound. As the workforce becomes increasingly diverse, organizations must proactively develop strategies to enhance language skills and overcome communication barriers. This will lead to improved productivity, higher quality service delivery, and reduced disparities, ultimately fostering more inclusive and effective public institutions.

References

• August, K. J., Nguyen, H., Ngo-Metzger, Q., & Sorkin, D. H. (2011). Language Concordance and Patient-Physician Communication Regarding Mental Health Needs. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(12). https://doi.org/10.1111/j..2011.03717.x
• Barrera, I., & Corso, R. M. (2002). Cultural Competency as Skilled Dialogue. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 22(2), 103.
• Cooney, R., & Ortiz, V. (1983). Nativity, National Origin, And Hispanic Female Participation In The Labor Force. Social Science Quarterly, 64(3).
• Davies, C., & Milligan, F. (2013). Development of a language identification tool. Nursing Standard, 27(35), 35-39.
• Davila, A., & Mora, M. T. (2000). The English-Skill Acquisition of Hispanic Americans during the 1980s. Social Science Quarterly, 81(1).
• August, K. J., Nguyen, H., Ngo-Metzger, Q., & Sorkin, D. H. (2011). Language Concordance and Patient-Physician Communication Regarding Mental Health Needs. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(12).
• Schenker, Y., Smith, A. K., Arnold, R. M., & Fernandez, A. (2012). 'Her Husband Doesn't Speak Much English': Conducting a Family Meeting with an Interpreter. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2011.0169
• Pillay, R. (2011). The Skills Gap in Nursing Management in the South African Public Health Sector. Public Health Nursing, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/j..2010.00910.x
• Parthab Taylor, S., Nicolle, C., & Maguire, M. (2013). Cross-cultural communication barriers in health care. Nursing Standard, 27(31), 35-43.
• Schenker, Y., Lo, B., Ettinger, K. M., & Fernandez, A. (2008). Navigating Language Barriers under Difficult Circumstances. Annals of Internal Medicine, 149(4), 264-W57.