Overview
Cultural interview reaction paper
On April 10, 2023, I conducted a face-to-face cultural interview with my coworker, Mrs. Ambreen Sanai, who was born and raised in Delhi, India. The purpose of this interview was to gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences and explore how future speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can use cultural knowledge to implement effective, client-centered interventions. As someone whose parents were born in La Gonâve, Haiti, I approached this conversation with curiosity, aiming to compare and contrast our cultural perspectives. Reviewing my notes, I immediately noticed many similarities and differences between our backgrounds, particularly in family structure, social expectations, and healthcare beliefs.
In Indian culture, extended families typically live together, often including grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins under one roof. When sons marry, they often remain with their families, a tradition that strengthens family bonds. Similarly, in Haitian culture, family is highly valued, and fathers are traditionally regarded as authority figures, making major decisions, including those regarding healthcare. Women in both cultures are expected to take on nurturing roles, caring for their families and maintaining the home while being admired and respected. Social greetings also differ across cultures. In India, handshakes are common, but Muslims and Hindus often avoid physical contact with the opposite gender. Hugging or kissing is reserved for close relationships. In contrast, Haitians tend to greet with a kiss on the cheek, and men give firm handshakes. Additionally, Indians often use the gender-neutral honorific “-ji” as a sign of respect, while Haitians typically use formal titles such as "Mr." or "Mrs." until granted permission to use a first name.
Cultural beliefs about disabilities also vary significantly. In India, some individuals believe that disabilities are a result of karma, meaning a person’s actions in a past life influence their present condition. Similarly, Haitian culture often connects disabilities to spiritual beliefs, with some perceiving them as consequences of supernatural forces. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for culturally competent service delivery, as discussing disabilities or mental health may be a sensitive topic. Additionally, nonverbal communication norms differ between cultures. Indians generally maintain minimal body contact, avoid direct eye contact, and respect personal space, with women especially refraining from prolonged eye contact. Nodding is commonly used to indicate active listening, while pointing is considered accusatory—using the palm instead is preferred. In contrast, Haitian culture views whistling in front of an elder as disrespectful, demonstrating how different cultures have distinct interpretations of social behaviors and gestures.
Linguistic differences also play a key role in communication. Hindi, a primary language spoken in India, does not use the auxiliary verb “do” to form questions. Instead, intonation is used to signal a question, a pattern also observed in Haitian Creole. Hindi speakers may struggle with English prepositions, as their placement differs from English grammar rules. Additionally, Indian English follows a syllabic rhythm, with low-pitched stress patterns. I had noticed this in Mrs. Ambreen’s speech but only fully understood it after learning about Indian phonological patterns. Hindi follows a subject-object-verb word order, which differs from English but is similar to Haitian Creole in structure. Recognizing these differences is essential for SLPs when assessing whether a client presents with a language difference versus a speech-language disorder.
Health concerns and attitudes toward medical history also vary across cultures. While cardiovascular disease and strokes are more prevalent in Haitian populations, in India, the prevalence of ear-related disorders is 3.30%, and speech- and language-related disorders account for 0.79% of the population. Indian individuals may be reserved when discussing personal health history, especially regarding pregnancy or birth complications, which can stem from cultural stigma or past trauma. Haitians also tend to be private about personal matters, which highlights the importance of sensitivity and cultural awareness when conducting case history interviews.
Reflecting on this interview, I gained a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and its impact on service delivery in speech-language pathology. This experience reinforced the importance of cultural humility, awareness, and competence in clinical interactions. Before this assignment, I had a basic understanding of cultural diversity but had not actively explored cultures beyond my own. This interview emphasized how cultural beliefs influence communication, social interactions, and attitudes toward therapy, which are essential considerations for SLPs working with diverse populations.
Understanding cultural differences in communication styles is crucial for SLPs to provide effective, respectful, and individualized care. For example, recognizing that Indian clients may avoid eye contact can prevent misinterpretations of social behavior as disrespectful or disengaged. Additionally, knowledge of Indian phonological patterns helps SLPs differentiate language differences from speech disorders, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.
To ensure effective service delivery, I would implement two key strategies. First, I would use interpreters to bridge language gaps and improve comprehension during evaluations and treatment. Second, I would apply ethnographic interviewing, which involves using open-ended, non-leading questions to gather information from the client’s perspective while respecting their cultural boundaries. These approaches help foster trust, inclusivity, and effective intervention planning.
Overall, this interview was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of cultural diversity and its role in speech-language pathology. It reinforced the need for continuous learning about different cultures to provide inclusive, client-centered therapy. As I progress in my career as an SLP, I will remain committed to expanding my cultural competence, ensuring that all clients receive respectful, effective, and individualized care.
Here is an example:
“This is an artifact for my portfolio which I have to write a reflection. This artifact must be paired with “concerned with individuals served” and “cultural responsiveness” and explain how and why this assignment fulfilled thes two professional essential competencies and skills . This reflection must reveal insight into personal growth gained throughout the SLP.Graduate program and how the individual will apply this learning experience in the future.The reflection can contain 300-500 words.
In my multicultural class, we were tasked with creating a project that highlights a specific culture, and I chose to focus on Deaf culture. Deaf culture is a rich and vibrant community that shares a unique set of values, behaviors, and traditions centered around the use of sign language, particularly American Sign Language (ASL) in the United States. It is not defined by a disability but rather by a shared linguistic and social experience. Members of Deaf culture view deafness as a difference in human experience rather than a deficiency or something that needs to be "fixed." Deaf culture emphasizes visual communication, and members value strong bonds within their community, often through Deaf clubs, events, and schools. Respect for Deaf identity and language is central to this culture, and many individuals within the community advocate for the recognition and preservation of ASL and Deaf rights. This project on Deaf culture allowed me to demonstrate cultural competence and my concern for the individuals I serve. By choosing to explore Deaf culture, I gained a deeper understanding of the values, language, and experiences unique to this community. It emphasized the importance of recognizing and respecting differences in communication styles and how these can shape a person’s identity. Understanding Deaf culture goes beyond language—it’s about appreciating the sense of community, the shared experiences, and the significance of ASL in creating meaningful connections. Through this project, I showed my dedication to being an inclusive and culturally responsive clinician. It reinforced my commitment to providing services that are respectful of and tailored to each individual’s cultural background. By acknowledging and valuing Deaf culture, I can better serve clients who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring that their communication needs and cultural preferences are fully considered in any therapeutic setting.”