Think about a Spanish speaking patient who is coming to a hospital in the United States in order to explain his symptoms only to find the interpreter doesn't comprehend fully what he is trying to say.

This is not due to lack of effort or misunderstanding, but rather due to the fact that Spanish is not spoken the same in every geographical area. There are lineages, regions and colonies which have different words and accents.

In healthcare, these little variations can lead to huge mismanagement of information.

In this article, we will talk about some of the reasons why it is so important to understand Spanish dialects in the healthcare sector, what are the issues when trying to tackle this problem, and how modern technologies come in to help Spanish speaking patients.

Learning the Spanish Spoken in the United States

With more than 41 million Americans speaking it, Spanish is the second most popular language in the US.

But Spanish language is not the same everywhere; rather it encompasses several diverse dialects which have evolved from many regions and cultures of Latin America.

There are different variations and expressions to each dialect with their utterance being the only similarity.

These are some of the most commonly known dialects of the Spanish language within the United States of America:

1. Mexican Spanish: The most populous group of Spanish speakers, lives mainly in the cities of California, Texas and Arizona.
2. Puerto Rican Spanish: Most commonly found in the States of New York, Florida and Pennsylvania.
3. Cuban Spanish: Has its base in Florida and Miami in particular.
4. Dominican Spanish: Can be spotted across the New York City area down to other northeastern regions.
5. Central American Spanish: Spans across our El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras communities, including the Californian and DC regions.
6. Colombian Spanish: Commonly heard from Colombian communities in Florida and New Jersey.
7. Venezuelan Spanish: Another dialect growing rich in Texas and Florida.

All of these particular groups have contributed to the linguistic and cultural wealth of the United States.

However, in the context of healthcare, such degree of diversity poses difficulties and does not permit effective communication across all groups.

Key Differences Between Spanish Dialects

The uniqueness of the Spanish dialects lies not only in accents but also in belonging to a particular group through their culture. These contrasts can be a hindrance and a stumbling block to effective communication, especially in areas such as healthcare provision.

Let us look at how Spanish dialects differ:

1. Vocabulary Differences

One key area is that vocabulary can differ in Spanish across different countries. The same object or concept can be expressed differently across regions.

Here are some examples:

• In Mexico, they say "durazno" for "peach"
• In the Caribbean, they say "melocotón" for the same fruit
• In Mexico, they use "camión" for "bus"
• In Puerto Rico, they say "guagua" for "bus"
• In Mexico, "fresa" means "strawberry"
• In some Caribbean regions, they say "fresón" for "strawberry"
• In Mexico, "chamaco" means "kid" or "child"
• In other regions, "muchacho" means "kid" or "child"

2. Pronunciation Patterns

A major difference in dialect delivery is the use of 's' omission, where some dialects suppress the 's' sound.

For example:

• In Dominican Spanish, "estás" (meaning "you are") is pronounced as "etá"
• In Colombian Spanish, "yo" (meaning "I" or "me") is pronounced more like "jo"
• In Caribbean Spanish, "estar" (meaning "to be") often sounds like "ehtar"
• In many coastal regions, "gracias" (meaning "thank you") might sound like "gracia"

3. Speed and Rhythm

Caribbean Spanish everyday conversations are characterized by clipped usage and faster speech patterns. For example, "para la casa" (meaning "to the house") might sound like "pa'la casa."

Mexican Spanish, in contrast, tends to be spoken more smoothly, with clearer pronunciation of each syllable. For instance, "para la escuela" (meaning "to the school") is pronounced fully and clearly.

4. Formal Speech vs. Informal Speech

Within Central American countries, the informal "vos" (meaning "you") is frequently used instead of "tú" (also meaning "you"). This raises further confusion for patients from regions where use of "vos" isn't prevalent.

These are more than just differences in linguistics and language; they affect how people feel they are being heard and regarded.

Why Dialect-Specific Interpretation Matters

Language is not just about saying things differently; it speaks volumes. For Spanish speakers, having their own dialect during a medical visit can significantly aid their care.

Here Are Four Reasons Why Dialect-Sensitive Interpretations Are Necessary In Healthcare:

1. Creating Comfort and Trust

The presence of an interpreter who speaks the patient's dialect helps ease anxiety. It reassures them that their concerns will be properly understood.

For example: A Puerto Rican patient hearing "guagua" (their familiar word for "bus") instead of "camión" (the Mexican term for "bus") is likely to feel more at ease.

2. Ensuring Comprehension

Wrong language usage when describing drug instructions can create potential health hazards. Misunderstandings in healthcare contexts can cause medical errors.

Common examples of dangerous misunderstandings include:

• "Embarazada" means "pregnant" in Spanish, not "embarrassed" as English speakers might assume
• "Constipado" in Spain means "having a cold," but in Latin America it's understood as "constipated"
• "Intoxicado" means "poisoned" or "drugged" in Spanish, not just "intoxicated" as in English

Proper dialect usage ensures patients don't miss important aspects of their treatment.

3. Supporting Emotional Well-being

Patients can be overwhelmed when visiting hospitals. When patients don't understand what the doctor says due to a language barrier, it can lead to feelings of isolation.

Using familiar language creates feelings of inclusion. When a patient hears their own dialect being spoken, it can provide comfort in an otherwise stressful situation.

4. Addressing Practical Problems

As observed by an oncology provider from New York:

Many Dominican patients cannot relate to interpreters from different regions of Latin America due to language barriers. These patients sometimes refuse to use interpreters because they feel they are not being understood, even though they need diagnosis and treatment in New York.

When healthcare professionals and patients share a language, treatment success is more likely.

The increase in dialect-speaking interpreters has improved both patient and provider satisfaction.

Challenges with Current Remote Interpretation Services

Many interpreting services do not account for dialect specificity, which can cause frustration for providers and patients alike.

This creates several problems in healthcare practices:

1. Dialect Disparity

Many interpretation services only state "Spanish" as an option with no way to choose a specific dialect.

While interpreters may handle medical terminology well, general language interpretation can lead to misunderstanding when they use words and phrases the patient doesn't recognize.

2. Miscommunication Risks

Language has its subtleties which if missed can change meanings significantly, for example:

• "Guagua" means "bus" in Puerto Rican Spanish but means "baby" in some Central American regions
• "Papaya" is a fruit in most regions but can be a vulgar term in others
• "Torta" means "sandwich" in Mexico but "cake" in other countries
• "Bizarro" in many Spanish dialects means "brave" or "gallant," not "bizarre" as in English

Such mix-ups can confuse patients and make it difficult to follow physician's instructions properly.

3. Patient Frustration

Patients have voiced concerns where they feel unheard or not properly understood solely because the interpreter pronounces words differently or uses different vocabulary.

As New York oncology providers have emphasized in one of our interviews, some patients refuse to use translators because their interpretation differs so much that they'd rather risk communicating directly.

4. Provider Limitations

Given the complexity and diversity of locations and dialects, it's challenging to accommodate all variations, which is why skilled interpreters play a crucial role in providing support and connection.

When patients don't have someone who speaks their same dialect or understands them, it adds to provider tensions and workload.

There is a significant gap in addressing these challenges, which will only become more important as the Spanish-speaking population in America continues to grow.

How Technology Is Improving Healthcare for The Spanish-Speaking Community

Spanish-speaking patients are witnessing transformation in how American physicians and doctors handle their cases thanks to new technological AI tools. Here's how:

Bringing Clarity

Words and phrases are the heart of dialects. Whether it's Mexican Spanish, Dominican Spanish, Puerto Rican Spanish, Cuban Spanish, or Central American Spanish, each has its own cultural roots. With technology configured for linguistic differences, patients face fewer language barriers, making it easier to comprehend medical prescriptions, treatment plans, prognoses, and other healthcare-related instructions.

Building Trust

A majority of patients trust their providers based upon the dialect/mode of communication used during consultation. When patients feel their language is honored, they reciprocate, making it easier for providers to get crucial details about their health status.

Improved Health Outcomes

Good communication reduces errors and ensures effective recovery. For example, when a patient fully understands their medication prescription, including intake instructions and follow-up requirements, they're more likely to comply, enabling better outcomes.

Enhanced Experience for All

The use of interpreters or technological tools with the correct dialect allows patients to feel at ease instead of frustrated. This means less time spent clarifying misunderstandings and more time providing quality care.

Eliminating Disparities In Language Access

In many regions, finding interpreters who are knowledgeable about required dialects is challenging. Technology can help make communication accessible to more patients regardless of their location.

Provision Of Equal Care

When dialectical differences are acknowledged and addressed by healthcare providers, Spanish-speaking patients can be confident of receiving the same level of care as English-speaking patients. This step toward equity is critical in enhancing relationships and health outcomes.

Conclusion: Addressing the Spanish Dialect Gap in Healthcare

Here in the U.S, Spanish patients tend to struggle to find interpreters that don't have a problem understanding their specific dialect. These slight differences in vocabulary and accent as well with pronunciation can be a huge obstacle in treating patients in the healthcare industry.

Artificial Intelligence tools could be a game-changing solution to this challenge. AI can be trained to understand and translate multiple Spanish dialects simultaneously, helping bridge the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers. With the ability to process different regional variations, accents, and cultural nuances, AI technology could ensure more accurate and culturally sensitive medical communication. This would not only improve patient care but also reduce the strain on human interpreters who may be limited to specific dialects.

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