Recognizing and Dismantling Raciolinguistic Hierarchies in Latinx Health
Pilar Ortega, Glenn Martínez, Marco A. Alemán, Alejandra Zapién‐Hidalgo, Tiffany M. Shin
Abstract
Latinx individuals represent a linguistically and racially diverse, growing US patient population. Raciolinguistics considers intersections of language and race, prioritizes lived experiences of non-English speakers, and can help clinicians more deftly conceptualize heterogeneity and complexity in Latinx health experiences. This article discusses how raciolinguistic hierarchies (ie, practices of attaching social value to some languages but not others) can undermine the quality of Latinx patients' health experiences. This article also offers language-appropriate clinical and educational strategies for promoting health equity.
Topics & Concepts
PersonaSociologyHumanitiesHealth equityMedicineArtNursingPublic healthInterpreting and Communication in HealthcareMultilingual Education and PolicyDiscourse Analysis in Language Studies