Addressing Language barrier and Reduction of loneliness and Isolation
The language barrier, loneliness, and isolation are different topics, yet are integrated into various research publications (Gardiner et al., 2016, p. 148). Given the increasing number of immigrants traveling worldwide in the search for education, employment opportunities, a stable political environment, and better business opportunities, the Language barrier has become an issue. As a result, loneliness and isolation have been identified. According to Macleod et al. (2018, p. 1), loneliness is described as the discrepancy between people’s desired and actual relations. It is a mismatch between existing relations and standards of relationships. Loneliness is linked to the quality of interactions versus quantity and is regarded as subjective. In contrast to loneliness, isolation is a measure of a person’s social interactions. It entails an individual distancing one’s self from others physically and psychologically. In simple terms, isolation means limited engagement with others. Concerning this knowledge, this paper tends to analyze how addressing language barriers will reduce loneliness and isolation.
Addressing the language barrier reduces loneliness and stress through necessitating belongingness (Pot et al., 2020, p.1149). When the language barrier is addressed, a common language is identified, or people are still taught different languages to interact with all the available persons effectively. For this reason, a sense of belongingness is created amongst people by introducing a common language as a unifying factor. In most cases, people isolate themselves because they are unable to interact with others. For example, AUE countries have been noted in recent research findings to have many people experiencing loneliness and isolation. Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, the EAU countries received the largest number of immigrants seeking better employment opportunities. The majority of these immigrants were from developing countries who are not familiar with Arabic, the most spoken language in EAU countries. As such, most of them.
Additionally, addressing the language barrier reduces emotional conflicts responsible for loneliness and isolation amongst people. According to Tenzor & Pudelko (2015, p.7), addressing the language barrier translates into reduced anxiety, stress, shame, frustration, and embarrassments, all of which contribute to isolation in people. The notion behind this is that when people are taught different languages, they develop a deeper understanding of word meanings, and as a result, misunderstandings are reduced. According to Wallin (2019, p. 1), the cohesion amongst people from different cultures is strengthened. As such, an understanding and respect for each other are fostered, which translates into strong and quality relationships. When such relationships are created, there will be no need for isolation as well as loneliness.
Last but not least, addressing language barriers helps encourage interactions amongst individuals. This is achieved from family settings as well as community interactions. Through these interventions, Abuarqoub (2019) notes that the exchange of feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences are enhanced. With knowledge of the other language, People can talk about their issues to friends and encourage them. Besides, Hinner (2017, 899) attests that addressing language barriers means giving people a deeper understanding of other languages, and as such, misunderstandings are reduced. In the end, friendships are developed. Despite the benefits presented by addressing the language barrier, Fakoya et al. (2020, p. 11) posit that incorporating other strategies can also help because isolation and loneliness are not due to the language barrier alone.
To conclude, the issue of loneliness ad isolation has become a major problem. Alongside other factors charged as responsible for this phenomenon, the language barrier is among the critical ones. Today, global migration has greatly increased. People worldwide are traveling in the quest for jobs, better living conditions, education, and others’ desire to fulfill other needs. Thus, the language barrier has presented itself as an obstacle to effective interactions, thereby leading to isolation and loneliness. Given this phenomenon, this paper sought to explain how addressing the language barrier will reduce loneliness and isolation. In these research findings, it was concluded that doing so will reduce loneliness and isolation in three ways.
References
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Fakoya, O. A., McCorry, N. K., & Donnelly, M. (2020). Loneliness and social isolation interventions for older adults: A scoping review of reviews. BMC Public Health, 20(1). doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8251-6
Gardiner, C., Geldenhuys, G., & Gott, M. (2016). Interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older people: An integrative review. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26(2), 147-157. doi:10.1111/hsc.12367
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Wallin, J. (2019). Non-Linguistic Benefits of Learning a Second Language: Recent Research and Implications for Educators and Governments. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336890892