Borders of Knowledge - Assignment Example

Assignment: Borders of Knowledge Name Course Tutor’s Name Date Question 1 Conclusively- There is uncertainty to the cause of a given phenomenon. Even though we may be having an idea, such is still on the scales of probability. Sorcery- refers to superstitious beliefs as to the occurrence of certain such matters as illness, deaths and accidents. Mostly linked to misfortunes and believed to be perpetrated by witches. Accurately-Certainty regarding a given explanations. The person explaining should not mix- up matters. Awareness of world-view- refers to an individual’s background. This background affects understanding of words and concepts. Thick-blood- refers to viscosity of blood. David expected blood to only be thick in dead or outside a human body but not inside the body. Question 2 Thick blood World view Conclusively Question 3 Trudgen, Richard, Why Warriors Lie Down and Die, Darwin: Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc. (2000), 160-175 Question 4 While communicating to cross-cultural patients, you must ensure that your communication takes into account the patients’ world-view so that the information makes sense to them. Question 5 By analyzing the reading, it is certain that there are several things that cross-cultural caregivers should consider so that the information they pass is considered to be fairly understood by the patients.The most common challenge is that the doctor may assume that he has passed the information yet that may not be the case.In the case of David, he was bi-lingual. He spoke both English and Yonlu quite well.This sometimes made doctors to assuming that he fairly understood the issues put across given the ease with which they communicated. However, no communication was taking place between them since they originated from two different backgrounds.That is why prior to the visit to the doctor, David says of the doctor; ‘he is the specialist and he can’t tell me why my heart’s enlarged, then who can?’(Trugen, 2000, pg.161).It is later learnt that through much of the interaction David did not understand,but could not dare ask a question because his Yonlu background did not encourage anyone receiving information to ask for further clarifications. It was the duty of the receiver to find more on their own. This further complicated matters for David. Apart from communication, superstition also plays a role among Yonlu Matha people.Anything that has no clear explanation is highly likely that it is caused by a witch. As a result, accepting the modern way of life becomes much more complicated. Scientific explanation to issues is treated with much more skepticism. For example, with regard to smoking, whenever a doctor cannot give a clear relationship between smoking and ill heath, pro-smoking groups retort that, ‘Kava doesn’t kill, people kill’ (Trugen, 2000, pg.169) to mean that people are killed by sorcerers. Whenever there is a vacuum, superstitious beliefs move swiftly to fill it in. In the case of David, it is the fact that he fails to understand the reason behind his enlarged heart; at some point he started wondering who could be behind his problems. Therefore, there is a possibility that any uncertainty will likely be filled by superstitious beliefs. Question 6 Passage David had a very good knowledge of English. He had been the elected member on a government commission for many years and was at one time on the executive of that commission. This meant he travelled to Canberra many a times. This is ascertained by the fact that whenever government people visited the community, David did much of the interpreting. Yet he still had great difficulty understanding what the doctors were saying to him about his own condition. David explained he had just been to Darwin to see a specialist about his heart.The specialist had said he couldn’t tell why David’s heart was enlarged. This had David very confused. ‘If he’s the specialist and he can’t tell me why my heart’s enlarged, the who can?’ he asked. I had some Idea why David’s heart was enlarged and why the doctors had told him to give up sugar, salt and cigarette.But not having formal medical training; I delayed talking him about it because I didn’t have all the information, especially from the specialist. I also knew it would be better if David heard the story straight from a doctor. I could act as facilitator and discuss points in Yonlu Matha with David where necessary (Trugen, 2000, pg.161) Paraphrase David was knowledgeable in English. He had served as a member of a government commission for many years, and at one time as its executive, after his election. This position required him to occasionally travel to Canberra.Whenever government officials visited,David would do much of interpreting the speeches from English to Yonlu Matha.However,with all his knowledge of English,David was clearly at pains to understand what was wrong with his heart. Several times he had visited and it was clear he wasn’t understanding what the doctors were saying. Out of frustration, David observes that he has visited a specialist but was not able to get answers as to why his heart was enlarged. He wonders where he should get the answers whenever the specialist appears clueless. There were many reasons why David’s heart could have been enlarged and subsequently told to keep off sugar,salt and cigarettes.However,this had to be delayed till David made one more visit to the specialist. This time round he was to be accompanied by somebody who could explain,in clear language, and this could include, interpreting in Yonlu Matha where necessary,the doctors points. Question 7 One lesson we take is that communication is a matter of people’s world-view. People come from diverse background,which influences the way the see things,how they understand those things and how they express themselves.This affects their understanding. Therefore, the fact that people are talking does not mean that communication is taking place. One person may not be following the conversation. David, for example, was told that the cause of his enlarged heart cannot be determined ‘conclusively’. In his Yonlu language, there is no word for ‘conclusively’. Hence in David’s mind, there is no idea for what it means. Therefore, that one word prevents him from understanding what is being said. On the doctor’s side, he considers that he has communicated, and that is it in its entirety. The other thing that affects communication among individuals is their cultural backgrounds. Among the Yonlu, the concept of respect for authority is predominant. For example, those passing on information cannot be asked for clarification for fear that they may distort the message. The sender of the message should explain himself or herself out of goodwill. It’s the receiver’s responsibility to deduce and get the missing parts.So in such a culture, silence, may mean understanding for those who are unaware. In David’s case though, he does not understand the cause of his heart enlarging but still returns home to agonize over the issue. Surprisingly, he is even able to explain what the doctor said, without knowing a thing as to the cause of the enlarged heart. On the other hand, the culture of the doctor expects the receiver of information to be assertive and ask for more information. The reading is very apt not only for those who work in the health sector but all those people who interact in one way or the other, with people from cross-cultural backgrounds. This might be in government offices, hospitals, schools and business. As regards intercultural communication, the writer has handled the issue well,bringing out its different dimensions. Even though she restricted herself to the health sector, the work may be of value to people from other sectors as well. It challenges us to seek to understand other peoples’ cultures so that we are better placed to interact with them.This then can stretch from communication to other area such as taboos. The writing is very much applicable to the university setting as well. The university is normally a melting pot for many cultures; a collection of students, employees and lecturers of many diverse backgrounds, coming together in harmony. Even in such settings, it is very much easy to overlook the cultural differences which may lead to not only communication problems but other problems as well. Read More