Sociolinguistics and liaison psychiatry: a particular aspect
Singy, P.; Bourquin, C.; Sulstarova, B.; Weber, O.
Revue Medicale Suisse 6(236): 343-345
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 20229725 Document Number: 647409
Verbal language is a major tool of medical communication. However, its use can be problematic, namely because the speakers of a given language do not necessarily agree on the meaning of the words they exchange. This phenomenon is usually called linguistic variability. Based on a famous political and legal case and medical examples, we will show how variability is a critical source of misunderstandings and other communicational breakdowns. In addition, we will suggest some strategies which are likely to limit the impact of variability on clinician/patient interaction.