Document Type

Article

Publication Date

January 2015

Publication Title

Neurolingwistyka Praktyczna

Volume

1

First Page

50

Last Page

65

ISSN

2450-5072

Keywords

bilingualism, multilingualism, multiculturalism, speech-language pathologists/ therapists (SLPs/SLTs), interpreters, intervention, collaboration

Disciplines

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Communication Sciences and Disorders | Speech and Hearing Science | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Abstract

Due to the constantly evolving global demographic situation, speech-language therapists (SLTs, also: speech-language pathologists – SLPs) have to deal with an increasing workload of bilingual/multilingual clients. This article presents results of a survey conducted among Polish SLTs aimed at investigating their views with regards to the possibility of collaboration with an interpreter during therapeutic intervention. The original version of the questionnaire (Gaweł & Węsierska, 2014) used in this survey was filled out by 206 respondents from different areas across Poland. The following issues were addressed in the study: the SLTs’ views on the incidence of bilingualism in Poland, their self-evaluation of the extent of their theoretical and practical preparation for working with bilingual clients, the SLTs’ views on the likelihood of collaboration with an interpreter, and the SLTs’ perception of the interpreter’s role in this process. The results of the study indicate the need to raise awareness of bilingualism/multilingualism, as well as to develop solutions at a systemic level, and introduce professional training programs for SLTs and interpreters.

Comments

This article was published by the Department of Neurolinguistics at the Institute of Polish Philology (Zakładu Neurolingwistyki Instytutu Filologii Polskiej) and appeared in Neurolingwistyka Praktyczna, volume 1, 2015.

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