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Navigating nuances of language and meaning: Challenges of cross-language ethnography involving Shona speakers living with schizophrenia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 16:20 authored by Sherphard Chidarikire, Dorothy Cross, Skinner, I, Cleary, MFor people living with schizophrenia, their experience is personal and culturally bound. Focused ethnography enables researchers to understand people’s experiences in-context, a prerequisite to providing person-centered care. Data are gathered through observational fieldwork and in-depth interviews with cultural informants. Regardless of the culture, ethnographic research involves resolving issues of language, communication, and meaning. This article discusses the challenges faced by a bilingual, primary mental health nurse researcher when investigating the experiences of people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe. Bilingual understanding influenced the research questions, translation of a validated survey instrument and interview transcripts, analysis of the nuances of dialect and local idioms, and confirmation of cultural understanding. When the researcher is a bilingual cultural insider, the insights gained can be more nuanced and culturally enriched. In cross-language research, translation issues are especially challenging when it involves people with a mental illness and requires researcher experience, ethical sensitivity, and cultural awareness.
History
Publication title
Qualitative Health ResearchVolume
28Issue
6Pagination
927-938ISSN
1049-7323Department/School
School of NursingPublisher
Sage Publications IncPlace of publication
United StatesRights statement
© The Author(s) 2018Repository Status
- Restricted