MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE AND LANGUAGES: IMPLCATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

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MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE AND LANGUAGES
IMPLCATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT
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I. INTRODUCTION

• Middle East is approximately the size of the
  U.S.
• Largest population group is the Arabs
• Majority of Middle Easterners are Muslim

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• More than 95 of Arabic speakers in the Middle
  East are Muslim.
• Americans have negative stereotypes! In a survey
  by Kamalipour (2001) it was found that the terms
  most associated with Middle Easterners were
• Oil
• Mean people
• Dark skin
• Terrorism

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II. MIDDLE EASTERN FAMIY LIFE Constrasting
Values and Practices

• Middle East Mainstream U.S.
• Children brought up Children raised
• to live interdependently to be independent
• Identity defined by Identity defined
• family achievement by indiv. achvt.

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• Mothers willing for Mothers more
• children to be hugged, reluctant to be
• picked up affectionate
• More flexible about More regulated
• time line for timelines time schedule
• like sleeping, eating, for these things
• toilet training
• Less freedom for More freedom for
• independent exploration exploration

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• Children not permitted Children make
• to make independent more independent
• decisions decisions choices
• More respect for old age, Respect for
• wisdom, spiritual youth, physical
• maturity fitness, intelligence

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B. Other Facts

• Family is primary focus of loyalty
• Arranged marriages are common
• Polygamy in some countries like Iran
• Patriarchal father is head of household
• Women submit to and serve husbands

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• Fathers take very little responsibility for
  infants and young children
• Male children preferred over female children
• Boys encouraged to think of themselves as
  superior to girls
• Girls may stop education after elementary boys
  are expected to excel

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II. HEALTH AND DISABILITIES

• Disabled child mother feels shame and guilt
  father views as defeat, blemish on familys pride
• Reactions abandonment, overprotection, denial,
  isolation
• Women may not be seen by male doctors

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• In some countries such as Afghanistan, people who
  are disabled are considered helpless.
• They cannot go to school or obtain jobs (even the
  men).
• Families stay home and take care of their
  disabled family members, and almost never let
  them make decisions.
• The disabled have almost no rights.

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Khan et. al., 2005

• Surveyed ethnic Pashtuns from California (all
  from Pakistan and Afghanistan)
• All were Sunni Muslims
• Ss in the study supported intervention for
  disabilities
• It was found that many did not read with children
  regularlywe can encourage that
• Many Ss did not have a complete idea of what SLPs
  dowe need to market our services
• Many did not view chronic hoarseness as a problem
  to be treatedwe need to educate them about this.

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IV. CULTURAL CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES

• Conservative countries Iran, Syria, Saudi
  Arabia
• Liberal countries Turkey, Lebanon, Pakistan
• Sheriat--legal system based on the Koran
• Hospitality is a very high priority

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• Left hand considered unclean
• In some areas, women must be covered from head to
  toe in public
• In some areas, women cannot leave home or speak
  with strangers without their husbands permission

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V. COMMUNICATION STYLES

• Men and women may not make eye contact or even
  socialize together in public
• Speaking loudly is acceptable
• Arabs try to speak eloquently and creatively a
  communication disorder has very negative
  consequences

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• Poets are held in very high esteem in Arab
  societies
• People stand close during conversations
• Its acceptable to tune out during conversations

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V. MIDDLE EAST LANGUAGE CONSIDERATIONS

• Arabic is the worlds sixth most common language
• Other common languages Kurdish, Farsi, Turkish
• Arabic has many spoken dialects

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• Written or classical Arabic is the language of
  the Koran
• The Koran is considered the ultimate book of
  style and grammar for Arabs
• All Muslims must use Arabic in their daily
  prayers
• 29 letters in the Arabic alphabet
• Arabic and Farsi are written from right to left

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V. IMPLICATIONS FOR SLPs

• There are approximately 100 Arab SLPs worldwide
• Families may be uncomfortable receiving outside
  assistance
• In therapy, its appropriate and positive to use
  stories or conversations that report the sayings
  or actions of Mohammed

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• Show respect by dressing formally and sitting
  with good posture
• Children may develop self-help skills later
• Female professionals should not shake hands with
  male family members
• Arabs may be late for or not keep appointments

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• Speak to the father first
• Case history--fathers might not tolerate being
  questioned by a female interviewer
• Male family member may make tx decisions, but
  mother will be responsible for carrying them out
• Shame, denial about childrens disabilities are
  common

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• Follow up with families--they may outwardly agree
  to carry out recommendations, but not do it--they
  believe disagreeing is rude