write essay on language barrier

Humphrey Fellows at Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication – ASU

Exploring the world through servant leadership

My experience dealing with a language barrier

• CevherShare

My biggest challenge in the United States is the language barrier. Even after a year here, I very often face difficulties in communication. I did not grow up listening to American music or watching American television, and I did not have enough learning opportunities during my youth. Being an adult, it is only harder to confront these challenges in communication. Ironically, I was invited to share with a high school class of Spanish speakers how I am dealing with this challenging situation.

First of all, I recognize that I have a weakness. Usually, I warn people that I am learning English in case they don’t understand me. I don’t mind repeating or rephrasing. Secondly, I listen carefully, making sure that I have comprehended correctly. Even if I don’t understand something the first time, I’ve realized the best thing to do is to ask for clarification and to not be afraid to raise questions as many time it is necessary. Watching people speak also help me to add new words, expressions or entire phrases to my vocabulary. In addition, to be a better English speaker, I have exposed myself to the local culture, and in my case, every night I watch short videos, news or movies.

However, my big fear is public speaking. I don’t feel confident in conversation, and, to add to that, I have a natural nervousness being on the stage.  I might not be the right person to give advice on public speaking, but I’ve found that being calm and paying attention to your respiration while speak slowly and getting plenty of practice are good tips. Another strategy that works for me is what I am doing right now–writing down what I want to speak. This is good because I already have some words and sentences in my mind, instead of improvising during the presentation. I received this method from a colleague who is a native English speaker.

All this is a lot of effort, but it doesn’t avoid criticism from others. It doesn’t stop questionings faces, laughs, and misunderstandings. Do not let these challenges push you down.  Observe your small success. For example, I noticed that I usually pay more attention to my few hard times than I do to the countless successful communications I had through the day.

Finally, speaking a new idiom will make a difference in your personal and professional life. It will help you to connect with people from different nationalities, share your experiences, learn from others, be friendly and secure more professional opportunities.

Related Posts

A trip to us-mexico borderlands in nogales: when commitment & trust meet up.

June 18, 2014 September 24, 2021

What a desert can teach a Humphrey Fellow?

June 9, 2014 September 24, 2021

An inspiring night with Forest Whitaker

April 24, 2014 September 24, 2021

About Ivana Braga

Home — Essay Samples — Science — Language — Effects of Language Barriers

Effects of Language Barriers

• Categories: Language

About this sample

Words: 278 |

Published: Jan 30, 2024

Words: 278 | Page: 1 | 2 min read

Table of contents

Definition and types of language barriers, impacts on personal communication, effects on business and professional communication, sociocultural implications, solutions to overcome language barriers, case study/examples.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Science

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1017 words

1 pages / 1210 words

3 pages / 1199 words

3 pages / 1276 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Language

Theodore Roethke's poem "My Papa's Waltz" is a poignant exploration of the complex relationship between a father and his son. The poem depicts a scene in which a young boy dances with his father, but the dance is not a graceful [...]

Firoozeh Dumas' essay, "The F Word," addresses a significant social and cultural issue that continues to impact individuals from different backgrounds and ethnicities. In her essay, Dumas explores the complexities of her name [...]

Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases can subtly influence our perceptions and opinions? This phenomenon, known as slanted language, plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of various issues and [...]

Language plays a crucial role in shaping one's identity, serving as a powerful tool for communication, self-expression, and cultural belonging. From the words we choose to the accents we carry, language reflects our unique [...]

Over the course of history many governments, political figures, religious groups, and other organizations have used language to influence the population of every geographical area. Understanding that language and how it can be [...]

Language learning strategies are methods that facilitate a language learning task. Strategies are goal-driven procedures and most often conscious techniques. Learning strategies usually used especially in the beginning of a new [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• How It Works
• Prices & Discounts

How to Overcome Language Barriers in Essay Writing for International Students

Table of contents

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it's no surprise that more and more international students are seeking higher education in foreign countries. While this is undoubtedly an exciting opportunity, it can also come with its fair share of challenges - one of which being language barriers in essay writing.

But fear not, dear reader! Our team at Writers Per Hour has compiled a list of helpful tips to help you overcome these obstacles and become a successful college essay writer. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your thing), and let's dive in!

According to the 2020 Open Doors report by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE), international students continue to choose the United States as their top destination for education. Despite a 7% decline in new international student enrollment over the previous two years, enrollment stabilized during the 2019/2020 academic year with a decrease of only 0.6%. This suggests that efforts to welcome and support international students are having a positive impact on their decision to study in the U.S. Nonetheless, language barriers remain a challenge for many international students, particularly in academic writing.

This highlights the importance of addressing language barriers and providing support for international students to succeed in academia. Let's explore some practical strategies that can help international students improve their academic writing skills.

Common language barriers faced by non-native English speakers in essay writing

Prior to exploring tactics, it is crucial to comprehend the prevalent linguistic obstacles encountered by non-native English speakers when it comes to essay writing. These hindrances encompass errors in grammar, inappropriate selection of words, ineptness in structuring sentences, and struggles with academic terminology.

Furthermore, cultural disparities in writing patterns and anticipations can also prove to be a hurdle for overseas scholars. Having an awareness of these barriers serves as the initial stride toward enhancing one's academic writing abilities.

Strategies for improving your language skills

Now that we understand the language barriers international students face, let's explore some practical strategies to improve their academic essay-writing skills.

Sign up for language courses or hire a tutor : Signing up for language courses or working with a tutor can prove to be helpful: These resources provide personalized attention and guidance to help overcome specific challenges.

Utilize online tools and resources that can aid in developing language proficiency : There are numerous online tools and resources available that can assist in enhancing language proficiency. Grammarly and Hemingway Editor are two popular options that provide real-time feedback on grammar, spelling, and writing style.

Read more scholarly articles and publications in one's field of study : Reading scholarly articles and publications in one's field of study can help to familiarize oneself with academic language and writing conventions. This can also aid in the development of critical thinking skills.

Practice writing regularly : Practicing writing regularly can help to improve one's fluency, grammar, and usage of appropriate vocabulary. This can include keeping a journal or blog, participating in online writing forums, or taking on small writing assignments.

Seek feedback from peers and professors : Seeking feedback from peers or professors can provide insight into areas that need improvement and help to refine one's writing skills. It is important to approach this feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn and make necessary changes.

By implementing these strategies, international students can overcome language barriers and improve their academic writing abilities, ultimately enhancing their academic success.

Techniques for overcoming language barriers

Language barriers can be a major challenge for international students when it comes to essay writing. However, utilizing online tools and resources can be an effective technique for overcoming these obstacles. Popular options such as Grammarly and Hemingway Editor provide real-time feedback on grammar, spelling, and writing style, which can significantly enhance language proficiency.

Additionally, practicing writing regularly, reading scholarly publications in one's field of study, and seeking feedback from peers and professors can aid in the development of critical thinking skills and improve fluency, grammar, and vocabulary usage. By implementing these strategies, international students can improve their essay writing abilities and produce high-quality work that meets the standards of academic writing.

Furthermore, taking advantage of language resources such as language exchange programs, language tutors, and language labs can also be extremely beneficial in overcoming language barriers. With dedication and hard work, international students can overcome their language challenges and achieve academic success.

Tips for effective proofreading and editing to catch errors and improve language quality

Proofreading and editing are crucial steps in the writing process that can improve the quality of language usage, catch errors, and enhance clarity. Here are some tips for effective proofreading and editing :

Take a break before proofreading - stepping away from your writing for a while can help you see it with fresh eyes and better identify errors.

Read out loud - this technique can help you catch grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, and other errors that may not be immediately apparent when reading silently.

Focus on one aspect at a time - instead of trying to catch all errors at once, focus on specific aspects such as grammar, punctuation, or flow during each round of proofreading and editing.

Use spelling and grammar check tools - while not foolproof, these tools can be helpful in identifying basic errors.

Have someone else read your work - a fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes that you might have missed.

By taking the time to thoroughly proofread and edit your writing, you can improve the quality of your language usage and ensure that your work is clear, concise, and error-free.

Importance of reading widely in your field

Reading extensively in your field is crucial for improving comprehension and expanding vocabulary. It exposes you to various writing styles, terminology, and ideas that can enhance your understanding and communication skills. This knowledge helps you develop a broader perspective and generate nuanced arguments in your writing.

Additionally, reading widely expands your vocabulary by introducing new terms and concepts, allowing for more precise language when discussing complex ideas. It also keeps you up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, which is essential for professionals who need to remain current with their knowledge and skills. Overall, reading widely in your field is vital for professional development to improve writing skills, increase topic understanding, and stay informed about the latest trends.

Collaborating with a native speaker or hiring an editor

Hiring a native speaker or professional editor can improve your essay writing. A native speaker offers valuable feedback on grammar, phrasing, and cultural nuances. An editor will ensure polished and error-free work by suggesting alternative wording or sentence structures and checking for errors. Collaborating with an expert can help you learn new writing strategies and enhance your skills. It's a smart investment in enhancing the quality of your work and becoming a better writer.

Addressing cultural differences in essay writing

Being mindful of cultural differences is crucial in academic writing to ensure your work is well-received. It's important to consider variations in tone and structure that may exist across cultures or regions. Researching cultural norms can be helpful, as can seeking feedback from native speakers or specialists. Remaining flexible and intentional in your writing style can make your work more accessible and effective for a global audience.

Academic integrity

Plagiarism is a serious offense in essay writing, and it's important to take the necessary steps to avoid it. Plagiarism can occur when you use someone else's ideas, words, or work without giving them proper credit.

To avoid plagiarism , always make sure to properly cite your sources and give credit to the original author. This can involve including in-text citations or footnotes in your paper, as well as a comprehensive reference list at the end of your work.

It's important to understand the specific citation style used by your institution or field of study, such as APA or MLA. Familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines and rules for citing sources in that style, including how to format the citation and what information needs to be included.

Additionally, it's important to use your own words and ideas when writing, rather than simply copying and pasting from other sources. If you do use a direct quote or paraphrase someone else's work, make sure to properly cite it and give credit where credit is due.

Overcoming writer's block in a second language

Overcoming writer's block can be a challenge, especially when writing in a second language. However, there are several strategies you can use to help break through the barrier and get your words flowing again.

Firstly, try brainstorming or freewriting. Just start writing down any ideas that come to mind, without worrying about grammar or structure. This can help you get your creative juices flowing and generate new ideas.

Another strategy is to take a break and do something else for a while. Go for a walk, listen to music, or engage in another creative activity. Sometimes stepping away from your writing and giving your brain a break can help you come back to it with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

You can also try writing in short bursts. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write as much as you can during that time. This can help overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed by the task at hand and make the writing process feel more manageable.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to friends, language exchange partners or a tutor for support and feedback on your writing. Having someone else's perspective and guidance can be invaluable in overcoming writer's block and improving your writing skills. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep writing and don't give up!

The benefits of overcoming language barriers

Overcoming language barriers in college essay writing can significantly benefit your grades and career opportunities. By improving your writing skills in a second language, you can effectively communicate complex ideas and demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter.

In terms of grades, overcoming language barriers can help ensure that you are accurately conveying your knowledge and expertise to your professors. This can result in higher marks and a better overall academic experience.

Moreover, improving your writing skills in a second language can open up new career opportunities. In today's global economy, bilingualism is increasingly valued by employers. Strong writing skills in multiple languages can make you a valuable asset in fields such as international business, journalism, and academia.

Additionally, overcoming language barriers can boost your confidence and self-esteem. The ability to express yourself effectively in multiple languages can help you feel more comfortable and competent in academic and professional settings.

In short, overcoming language barriers in academic writing is a worthwhile pursuit that can lead to improved grades, expanded career opportunities, and increased confidence. Don't let language barriers hold you back - take steps to improve your writing skills today!

" Overcoming language barriers is crucial for success in the competitive world of academic writing. With the right support and resources, anyone can improve their skills and achieve their goals. " - states Hlib Nikolenko, CEO of Writers Per Hour.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, if you're looking to break down the language barrier in academic writing, don't fret! With a little elbow grease and some determination, you can overcome any linguistic hurdle. Remember, as Confucius once said, "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." So start chipping away at those language barriers and watch your academic success soar!

At Writers Per Hour, we understand the importance of overcoming language barriers in academic writing. Our team of experienced writers can provide you with the support and resources you need to improve your skills and achieve your goals. Whether you need help with a specific assignment or want to develop better writing habits overall, our services are tailored to meet your individual needs.

Share this article

Achieve Academic Success with Expert Assistance!

Crafted from Scratch for You.

Ensuring Your Work’s Originality.

Transform Your Draft into Excellence.

Perfecting Your Paper’s Grammar, Style, and Format (APA, MLA, etc.).

Calculate the cost of your paper

Get ideas for your essay

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• Published: 08 July 2021

Ten tips for overcoming language barriers in science

• Tatsuya Amano   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6576-3410 1 , 2 ,
• Clarissa Rios Rojas   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6544-4663 3 ,
• Yap Boum II 4 ,
• Margarita Calvo   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3349-9189 5 , 6 &
• Biswapriya B. Misra 7  

Nature Human Behaviour volume  5 ,  pages 1119–1122 ( 2021 ) Cite this article

3552 Accesses

39 Citations

693 Altmetric

Metrics details

• Peer review
• Science in culture

Language barriers have serious consequences in science, causing inequality for under-represented communities, making non-English-language knowledge inaccessible, and impeding the uptake of science by decision-makers. Here we provide a practical checklist as a starting point for tackling this overlooked issue.

Language barriers are a multifaceted problem that has major consequences in science. Just as one would in many other situations, any scientist or user of science can face difficulties in conducting and communicating science when it involves a language other than their mother tongue. It has often been perceived as the ‘English’ barrier encountered specifically by non-native speakers of English due to their own lack of linguistic capabilities. It certainly does, often quite severely, affect educational and career opportunities for non-native English speakers 1 , 2 , who constitute 95% of the global population. We often leave the task of overcoming the language (i.e., English) barrier almost entirely to the non-native English-speaking scientific community and ultimately to individuals trying to overcome the barrier through their own efforts and investments. However, tackling language barriers is clearly an urgent task for the entire scientific community if we are to address the existing inequality in academia.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Beyond Language Barriers: Allowing Multiple Languages in Postsecondary Chemistry Classes Through Multilingual Machine Learning

• Paul P. Martin
•  &  Nicole Graulich

Journal of Science Education and Technology Open Access 14 February 2024

Appraising biocultural approaches to sustainability in the scientific literature in Spanish

• Isabel Díaz-Reviriego
• , Jan Hanspach
•  …  Elisa Oteros-Rozas

Ambio Open Access 24 January 2024

Three pathways to better recognize the expertise of Global South researchers

• Gabriel Nakamura
• , Bruno Eleres Soares
•  …  Leandro Duarte

npj Biodiversity Open Access 21 August 2023

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

24,99 € / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles

111,21 € per year

only 9,27 € per issue

Buy this article

• Purchase on Springer Link
• Instant access to full article PDF

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Ramírez-Castañeda, V. Disadvantages in preparing and publishing scientific papers caused by the dominance of the English language in science: the case of Colombian researchers in biological sciences. PLoS ONE 15 , e0238372 (2020).

Article   Google Scholar  

Clavero, M. “Awkward wording. Rephrase”: linguistic injustice in ecological journals. Trends Ecol. Evol. 25 , 552–553 (2010).

Amano, T., González-Varo, J. P. & Sutherland, W. J. Languages are still a major barrier to global science. PLoS Biology 14 , e2000933 (2016).

Saha, S., Afrad, M. M. H., Saha, S. & Saha, S. K. Towards making global health research truly global. Lancet Glob. Health 7 , e1175 (2019).

Amano, T., Rios Rojas, C., Boum II, Y., Calvo, M. & Misra B. B. Resources and opportunities for non-native-English speakers to overcome language barriers in science. OSF https://osf.io/wqmjn/ (2021).

Konno, K. et al. Ignoring non-English-language studies may bias ecological meta-analyses. Ecol. Evol. 10 , 6373–6384 (2020).

Estévez-Bretón, C. Raising the global visibility of non-English, non-STEM research: a case study from Colombia. Institutional Priorities White Paper (Elsevier, 2018).

Politzer-Ahles, S., Girolamo, T. & Ghali, S. Preliminary evidence of linguistic bias in academic reviewing. J. Engl. Acad. Purposes 47 , 100895 (2020).

Alshebli, B. K., Rahwan, T. & Woon, W. L. The preeminence of ethnic diversity in scientific collaboration. Nat. Commun. 9 , 5163 (2018).

Lynch, A. J. et al. Culturally diverse expert teams have yet to bring comprehensive linguistic diversity to intergovernmental ecosystem assessments. One Earth 4 , 269–278 (2021).

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the eLife Ambassador program for bringing the authors together to discuss this important topic. Thanks also to W. J. Sutherland for his invaluable feedback on an earlier draft and M. Amano for all the support. T.A. is supported by the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT180100354) and the University of Queensland strategic funding.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Tatsuya Amano

Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Clarissa Rios Rojas

Epicentre, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Yap Boum II

Physiology Department, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Margarita Calvo

Millennium Nucleus for the Study of Pain (MiNuSPain), Santiago, Chile

Independent Researcher, Namburu, India

Biswapriya B. Misra

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatsuya Amano .

Ethics declarations

Competing interests.

B.B.M. currently works as a Principal Scientist with Enveda Biosciences but did not receive any funding for this work.

Additional information

Peer review information Nature Human Behaviour thanks Emilio Bruna, Caroline Wagner and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Amano, T., Rios Rojas, C., Boum II, Y. et al. Ten tips for overcoming language barriers in science. Nat Hum Behav 5 , 1119–1122 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01137-1

Download citation

Published : 08 July 2021

Issue Date : September 2021

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01137-1

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

This article is cited by

Being a non-native english speaker in science and medicine.

• Sigrid V. Carlsson
• Sandro C. Esteves

Nature Reviews Urology (2024)

• Nicole Graulich

Journal of Science Education and Technology (2024)

• Jan Hanspach
• Elisa Oteros-Rozas

Ambio (2024)

• Bruno Eleres Soares
• Leandro Duarte

npj Biodiversity (2023)

Scientific publishing has a language problem

Nature Human Behaviour (2023)

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Medical Information

Language Barrier: Understanding its Impact, Challenges, and Strategies for Effective Communication

Introduction:.

A language barrier refers to the difficulty or inability to communicate effectively due to differences in language and linguistic abilities between individuals. Language barriers can occur in various settings, including healthcare, education, business, and social interactions. This comprehensive article aims to provide an understanding of language barriers, exploring their impact, challenges they pose, and strategies to overcome them for effective communication and meaningful interactions.

Impact of Language Barriers:

Language barriers can have significant implications for individuals and communities:

• Limited access to information: Language barriers can restrict individuals from accessing important information, services, and resources, leading to disparities in education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
• Miscommunication and misunderstandings: Ineffective communication due to language barriers can result in misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and misdiagnoses, leading to errors, conflicts, or suboptimal outcomes.
• Social isolation and exclusion: Language barriers can contribute to social isolation, as individuals may struggle to participate fully in social, cultural, and community activities.
• Reduced trust and confidence: Inability to communicate fluently in a shared language can lead to decreased trust, confidence, and satisfaction in interpersonal interactions and professional relationships.

Challenges of Language Barriers:

Language barriers present several challenges to effective communication:

• Linguistic differences: Different languages have unique grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, making it challenging to convey messages accurately and understand nuances.
• Cultural differences: Language is closely intertwined with culture, and understanding cultural contexts and norms is essential for effective communication.
• Non-verbal communication: Language barriers can hinder the interpretation and understanding of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures, which are important for conveying meaning.
• Limited resources and support: In certain contexts, resources and support for translation, interpretation, or language assistance may be limited, further exacerbating language barriers.

Strategies for Effective Communication:

Overcoming language barriers requires proactive strategies and approaches:

• Professional interpreters: Utilize trained interpreters or translators proficient in both languages to ensure accurate and culturally sensitive communication.
• Use of technology: Employ language translation tools, mobile applications, or video conferencing services that offer real-time translation capabilities.
• Simple and clear language: Use plain language, avoid jargon or technical terms, and break down complex information into simpler concepts to enhance comprehension.
• Visual aids and gestures: Incorporate visual aids, diagrams, pictures, or gestures to supplement verbal communication and facilitate understanding.
• Cultural competence: Develop cultural competence by learning about and respecting cultural norms, practices, and customs to foster better cross-cultural communication.
• Patience and active listening: Demonstrate patience, active listening, and empathy when communicating with individuals who have limited language proficiency, allowing for clarification and understanding.

Community and Policy Considerations:

Addressing language barriers requires a collective effort and policy considerations:

• Language support services: Ensure the availability of language support services, such as interpreters, translators, or bilingual staff, in public institutions, healthcare facilities, and service-oriented organizations.
• Education and awareness: Promote cultural competency training, language access policies, and awareness campaigns to foster inclusive and equitable communication practices.
• Collaboration and partnerships: Encourage collaboration between diverse communities, organizations, and language service providers to develop sustainable solutions and improve language access.

Conclusion:

Language barriers can significantly impact effective communication and meaningful interactions. Understanding the challenges they pose and employing strategies to overcome them are crucial for fostering inclusive environments, providing equitable access to services, and building stronger connections across linguistic and cultural divides. By prioritizing effective communication, we can bridge language barriers and promote understanding, respect, and inclusivity in our increasingly diverse societies.

Hashtags: #LanguageBarrier #EffectiveCommunication #CulturalCompetence #LanguageAccess

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Alexander Enabnit

Alexandra Warren

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test your knowledge, asked by users, related centers, related specialties, related physicians, related procedures, related resources, join dovehubs.

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process. Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness. As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

For Patients

For professionals, for partners.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• v.35(2); 2020 Mar

Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review

Hilal al shamsi.

1 Director of Planning and Studies, Directorate General of Planning and Studies, Ministry of Health, Al Buraimi, Oman

Abdullah G. Almutairi

2 Director of Tumair Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sulaiman Al Mashrafi

3 Directorate General of Planning and Studies, Department of Health Information and Statistics, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman

Talib Al Kalbani

4 Director of Pharmaceutical Care and Medical Stores, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Al Buraimi, Oman

Language barriers pose challenges in terms of achieving high levels of satisfaction among medical professionals and patients, providing high- quality healthcare and maintaining patient safety. To address these challenges, many larger healthcare institutions offer interpreter services to improve healthcare access, patient satisfaction, and communication. However, these services increase the cost and duration of treatment. The purpose of this review is to investigate the impact of language barriers on healthcare and to suggest solutions to address the challenges.

We identified published studies on the implications of language barriers in healthcare using two databases: PubMed and Medline. We included 14 studies that met the selection criteria. These studies were conducted in various countries, both developed and developing, though most came from the US. The 14 studies included 300 918 total participants, with participation in each study ranging from 21 to 22 353 people.

We found that language barriers in healthcare lead to miscommunication between the medical professional and patient, reducing both parties’ satisfaction and decreasing the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety. In addition, the review found that interpreter services contribute indirectly to increased cost and the length of treatment visits. One study reported the implementation of online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble in hospitals, which increased the satisfaction of both medical providers and patients (to 92%) and improved the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety. Language barriers are responsible for reducing the satisfaction of medical providers and patients, as well as the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety. Many healthcare institutions use interpreter services that increase the cost and length of treatment visits.

Conclusions

The results of our review suggest that implementing online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble may improve the quality of healthcare and the level of satisfaction among both medical providers and patients.

Introduction

Language barriers have a major impact on the cost and quality of healthcare. They commonly occur between healthcare providers and patients when the two groups do not share a native language. 1 Regardless of language barriers, healthcare providers are required to deliver high-quality healthcare that adheres to the principles of human rights and equity to all their patients. 2

Health disparities such as unequal treatment related to language barriers are associated with unequal access to healthcare and unequal health outcomes. 3 For instance, a recent study demonstrated that patients who do not speak the local language are disadvantaged in terms of access to healthcare services. 4 Similarly, several studies have shown that patients who face language barriers have poorer health outcomes compared with patients who speak the local language. 5 , 6

Growing evidence documents the fact that language barriers indirectly impact the quality of the healthcare that patients receive. Language barriers contribute to reducing both patient and medical provider satisfaction, as well as communication between medical providers and patients. Patients who face language barriers are more likely to consume more healthcare services 2 and experience more adverse events. 7 A recent study conducted in six hospitals in the US found that adverse events occurred more frequently among patients with limited proficiency in English than among those who were proficient in English.

This review investigates the impact of language barriers on healthcare and suggests solutions to address the challenges.

We identified studies of the impact of language barriers on the delivery of healthcare by searching the PubMed and Medline databases using the keywords: ‘language barriers,’ ‘satisfaction,’ ‘healthcare,’ ‘limited English proficiency,’ ‘quality of care,’ ‘communication,’ and ‘access to health services’.

This review includes studies that address the impact of language barriers on the delivery of healthcare. It excludes studies into the impacts of communication barriers other than language barriers on the delivery of healthcare, studies that were not primarily conducted in healthcare organizations, and non-peer-reviewed articles. The search strategy was limited to articles published from 2000 to 2019 to find the most recent literature on the topic.

The extracted data are summarized in two tables. Table 1 outlines the general characteristics of the studies, including the country in which the study was done, the total number of organizations in which the sample was collected, the type of organization that conducted the study, the study type, the data collection method, the sample size, and the response rate. Table 2 presents the implication of language barriers on the delivery of healthcare in each study in the review.

*MOH: Ministry of Health; NA: not applicable; NR: not recorded.

Figure 1 shows the researcher’s method of selecting eligible studies for this review. Initially, the researcher’s search of the PubMed and Medline databases returned 2569 articles. After removing the duplicate articles, 1211 remained. Next, the researcher excluded the articles that were not mainly about language barriers (n = 605) and the non-peer-reviewed articles (n = 532). Then the researcher excluded those studies that were not primarily conducted in healthcare organizations (n = 60), leaving 14 articles to be included in this systematic review.

The process of selecting the included 14 studies in this review.

Table 1 presents a summary of the general characteristics of the 14 studies arranged by the authors’ names. Nine studies used a cross-sectional design, two used a prospective design, two used qualitative research, and one was a report. Five studies collected data from an interview survey, three used questionnaires, one used both an interview survey and questionnaires, three used hospital databases, and two used telephone and mail surveys. Five of the studies were conducted in the US, two in Saudi Arabia, two in Switzerland, and one each in Canada, Germany, England, Norway, and South Africa. The total number of participants in the 14 studies was 300 918, with the number of participants in each study ranging from 21 to 22 353.

Table 2 presents the most important findings of the 14 studies in this review. Seven of the studies focused on language barriers and patient satisfaction, two on the impact of language barriers on healthcare provider satisfaction, one on the impact of language barriers on both healthcare providers and patient satisfaction, two on the cost of interpretation services, one on the quality of interpretation services, and one on online translation tools. The findings of studies can be divided into three categories: the impact of language barriers on medical providers (such as physicians and nurses), patients, and the cost and quality of healthcare services.

Communication between patients and medical providers is at the heart of effective healthcare. In Pytel, 17 94.3% of nurses reported that it was very important for their work environment and communication to understand the language of their patients. Physicians also have difficulty understanding patients who do not speak their language, leading to wrong diagnosis and medications. 18 In Norway, medical providers reported that they had trouble understanding between 36% and 43% of the patients who do not speak the local language, necessitating interpreters. 15 Indeed, 37% of physicians indicated that they felt that patients hide some information because of language barriers. 15 In addition, all South African nurses in Saudi Arabia had difficulty communicating with patients and their family members, as well as nurses from other countries, because of language barriers. 19

Language barriers have negative implications for the delivery of healthcare and patient satisfaction. One study showed that among patients who received treatment from nurses who did not speak the local language, 30% had difficulty understanding medical instructions, 30% had a problem with the reliability of information, and 50% believed that the language barrier contributed to errors. 10 Other studies found that among patients who did not speak the local language, 49% had trouble understanding a medical situation, 34.7% were confused about how to use medication, 41.8% had trouble understanding a label on medication, 15.8% had a bad reaction to medication due to a problem understanding their healthcare provider’s instructions, 20 66.7% faced a barrier when accessing healthcare, and 20% did not seek healthcare services if these were not readily available for fear of not understanding their healthcare provider. 14 Furthermore, many patients with limited local language proficiency experienced adverse health events that resulted in detectable physical harm (49.1% of patients) or moderate temporary harm (46.8%) or experienced some failure in communication with medical providers (52.4%). 5 Patients with limited local language proficiency are also likely to miss medical appointments and have difficulties arranging appointments due to the language barrier. 9 Therefore, these patients have a poor level of satisfaction with their healthcare. 14 , 18

To increase patient satisfaction with healthcare, it is necessary to provide interpreter services. Two studies pointed out that medical providers needed interpreter services for 43.2% of their patients, and 21–76% of medical providers stated they had poor access to these services. 12 , 15 Moreover, 70.7% of limited English proficiency patients (LEPPs) reported limited availability of interpreter services, 13 , 14 and 26.4% reported that there were no interpreters in their healthcare institutions. 2 LEPPs also indirectly raise the cost of health services when they use interpreter services. 12 LEPPs who used interpreter services received more inpatient services and attended more office visits than those who did not. 11 The authors of this study estimated that interpreter services for Medicaid recipients at about $4.7 million annually. Some healthcare organizations use online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble to address the challenges of language barriers. These tools are free and easy to access, and they contribute to improving healthcare delivery, patient safety, and increased (up to 92%) the satisfaction of both medical professionals and patients. 8

This review investigates the impact of language barriers on the delivery of healthcare and identifies possible solutions to the challenges posed by these language barriers. The first impact of language barriers is miscommunication between medical providers (physicians and nurses) and patients [ Table 2 ]. This miscommunication contributes to a reduction in the satisfaction of both medical providers and patients, the quality of healthcare delivery, and patient safety. The second impact is an increase in indirect healthcare costs. The final impact is the application of online translation tools to healthcare organizations, which improves the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety and increases the satisfaction of both medical professionals and patients.

Language barriers are a key cause of miscommunication between medical providers and patients, and negatively affect the quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction. Hospital medical professionals perceive language barriers to be a source of workplace stress and an impediment to the delivery of high-quality healthcare. 21 Much evidence shows a significant association between workplace stress and lower satisfaction among medical providers. 22 - 24 In addition, studies indicate that language barriers contribute to medical professionals’ incomplete understanding of patients’ situations, delayed treatment or misdiagnoses, poor patient assessment and incomplete prescribed treatment. 14 , 25

We also found that patients who do not speak the local language will have less satisfaction with their healthcare and less access to usual sources of healthcare. Even when patients with language barriers have access to healthcare, they have decreased satisfaction with that healthcare, decreased understanding of their diagnoses, and increased medication complications. 25 , 26 A study conducted in Saudi Arabia showed that 25% of foreign patients reported that they had difficulty communicating with medical professionals and decreased satisfaction with their healthcare; 20% of medical professionals reported that health outcomes (i.e., healthcare errors, understanding patient needs, feeling satisfaction, and trust in nursing care needs) were always affected by language barriers. 27 Interpreter services are necessary to solve the problem of language barriers in healthcare institutions and to increase the satisfaction of both medical professionals and patients.

To overcome language barriers, some healthcare institutions provide interpreter services; however, these services pose critical challenges in terms of access and financial burden. Previous studies have shown that most healthcare institutions have poor access to interpreter services or no services at all. 12 , 14 The use of interpreter services contributes to increased patient satisfaction and improved patient care among patients with language barriers. 28 Interpreter services have a significant association with increased physician visits, prescription drugs by physicians, and receipt of preventative services among patients. 29 However, providing interpreter services also increases the length and cost of physician visits.

MediBabble is an application created by medical students at the University of California, San Francisco, and released in 2011. Using advanced voice recognition software, it offers translations for thousands of medical instructions, as well as the questions for a standard medical history. 30 , 31 The application contains thousands of instructions and translated questions, organized by symptom. Most questions can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ gestures. 32 MediBabble can be used online or offline, and it allows physicians to take patient histories and make diagnoses when a language barrier exists. 32 However, the application translates only six languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Haitian Creole, and Mandarin. 32

A case study showed that medical professionals and patients were highly satisfied with MediBabble; they reported that the application was fast and easy in terms of translating and collecting information. 33 In a study done in Canada, MediBabble was used as one strategy to improve the delivery of healthcare for resettled Syrian refugees. It allowed medical professionals to take the refugees’ histories and also make diagnoses. 30 In brief, MediBabble shows success as a medical translator. Using both interpreter services and online translation tools may offer more opportunities to improve healthcare delivery and patient safety.

This review has some limitations. First, there are few existing studies on the application of online translation tools in healthcare to address the problem of language barriers. Second, there are few studies evaluating the challenges of language barriers in private healthcare organizations. The impact of language barriers must be evaluated in both the public and the private sectors to address this problem.

This review also has several strengths. First, studies included in the review were conducted in both developing and developed countries. Second, the response rate was 100% in six of the studies. Third, the studies focused on various aspects of language barriers in healthcare, which helped the researchers to evaluate the challenges from multiple angles and determine solutions.

Language barriers can make the delivery of high-quality healthcare very challenging. They have a negative impact on the quality of healthcare, patient safety, and the satisfaction of medical professionals and patients. While some health organizations provide interpreter services to address these problems, these services indirectly increase the cost of health services and increase the length of treatment visits. Online translation tools such as Google Translate and MediBabble present possible solutions for overcoming these challenges. Further studies on the implications of language barriers and the effectiveness of online translation tools are recommended. Furthermore, new updates with more medical phrases for Google Translate and with more languages included for MediBabble application are recommended.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Literature

Essay On Overcoming the Language Barrier

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Literature , Teaching , Poetry , Students , Skills , Writing , Bible , English

Published: 02/02/2021

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

This semester was very challenging for me. I came to New York City from Brazil and I encountered many problems that are very popular among international students. The main problem is of course language barrier. It was very hard for me to speak in front of other people. It is really frustrating when you cannot find the right words to express what you think or feel. And I was getting very upset when that happened.

This course required a lot of communication and writing and it was exactly what scared me the most because of my poor grammar and speaking skills. But to my surprise this course turned out to be the most interesting for me. I rarely missed this class mainly because I felt very comfortable in it despite of all my problems with English. The professor made it so interesting and entertaining that it was just impossible to stay indifferent.

During this course we have read a lot of English poems. We do not study international poetry back in Brazil so it was completely new for me. I learned a lot about English literature in the course. And I can also tell that my English has improved. I feel more comfortable speaking in class and explaining my point of view. And I can see that my grammar is getting better. Besides from reading poems and discussing them we also wrote a lot of essays during this semester. I realized that free writing that we were supposed to do almost for every class was very helpful for my English skills. At first it was very hard to put my thoughts into writing. Usually I had a lot to say about the topic but translating my ideas into English made it hard for me to keep it understandable. At this point I can tell that my writing skills have got much better and it is easier for me to put my thought together and express them on paper. I can definitely say that this course came up to my expectations.

I can see the evident progress when I compare myself before starting the course and now. The main change that I have noticed is that I have become much more confident with my English. I know it is still not perfect and I still experience some problems communicating in it but at least I feel free to speak English and do some writing in it. I also worked on my grammar because it is one of the main components of learning a foreign language together with conversation in it. And most importantly I have received a lot of interesting and educational information about literature in general and poetry in particular. It was very entertaining and engaging to read all that material and get deeper into what the author meant. During the discussions of poems I was able to compare other students’ point of view to mine. Every person sees a different thing behind every poem and it was very surprising for me at first.

As a conclusion I would like to say that I am very thankful to the professor for such an amazing course. I enjoyed the atmosphere we had in class and it was simple for me to get comfortable there. I feel that I have overcome my fear of speaking in English and now I try to express my opinion whenever I have a chance to. I know that I still do not sound right sometimes but the best way to learn something is to get benefit from your mistakes. And this is exactly how I am trying to work on my English.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 1446

This paper is created by writer with

ID 252563776

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Research paper on incarceration, free essay on classism in usa, good enzymes carbohydrates and atp course work example, the dream league admission essay examples, good example of healthcare research essay, free disposable income employment rate research paper example, good report on materials and methods, stoic and aristotelian conceptions critical thinkings example, free essay on the need to correct history, example of technology factors affecting companies and employees from lack of advanced manufacturing technology literature review, research paper on why military suicide prevention fails, literary analysis the loss of the creature by percy walker essays example, conceptual frameworks of corporate social responsibility critical thinking sample, academic multisource synthesis essay civic literacy essay sample, example of why i hate history essay, example of transnational organized crime in southeast asia essay, nhlbi essays, marsha essays, shipment essays, amazon river essays, equal protection of the laws essays, forster essays, luminosity essays, spectra essays, light curve essays, prominence essays, candles essays, decliner essays, interstellar medium essays, west end essays, scotia essays, nova scotia essays, riverside essays, good health essays, conveying essays, falsification essays, respect dissertations, concept dissertations, efficacy dissertations, orientation dissertations, presence dissertations, encyclopedia dissertations.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.

Language Barriers in Health Care: Findings from the KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health

Ana Gonzalez-Barrera , Liz Hamel , Samantha Artiga , and Marley Presiado Published: May 16, 2024

• Methodology

In the U.S., there are about 26 million people who have limited English proficiency (LEP), meaning they speak English less than very well, making up about 8% of people ages five and older. Most U.S. adults with LEP speak Spanish (62%), followed by Chinese (7%), Vietnamese (3%), Arabic (2%), and Tagalog (2%), with the remainder speaking a variety of different languages from regions across the world.  Hispanic people account for nearly two-thirds (62%) of the LEP population, while over a fifth (22%) of individuals with LEP are Asian. The remainder of individuals with LEP are White (11%) or Black (4%) or of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Adults with LEP are also more likely to be low-income—nearly one in five individuals with LEP have family income below 200% of the federal poverty level, compared with one in ten English-proficient individuals. This brief examines health care experiences among U.S. adults with LEP, drawing on findings from the KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health. 1 For more information about U.S. immigrants with LEP, see this brief . The data identify ongoing barriers and disparities adults with LEP face in accessing health care and suggest that having access to providers who speak their preferred language helps reduce these barriers and may improve certain health care experiences.

Health and Health Care Experiences Among Adults with LEP

Adults with LEP express lower levels of comfort asking questions of their health care providers compared to those who are English proficient. While most adults, regardless of English proficiency, say they have felt at least “somewhat” comfortable asking doctors and other health care providers questions about their health or treatment in the past three year, about half (54%) of adults with LEP say they feel “very comfortable,” which is lower than the two-thirds (66%) of English proficient adults who say the same.

About one in five adults with LEP report a negative experience with a provider, one in eight report being treated unfairly or with disrespect, and about half report practicing vigilant behaviors associated with health care visits. Among adults with LEP, one in five reports experiencing at least one of several negative experiences with a health care provider in the past three years, including a provider ignoring a direct request or question (11%), assuming something about them without asking (8%), suggesting they were personally to blame for a health problem (8%), or refusing to prescribe needed pain medication (8%). In addition, one in eight (13%) adults with LEP say there was a time in the past three years when a health care provider or their staff treated them unfairly or with disrespect because of their race or ethnic background or for some other reason. Reflecting these experiences, about half (48%) of adults with LEP say they feel they have to be very careful about their appearance in order to be treated fairly (44%) and/or prepare for possible insults from a provider or their staff (18%) at least some of the time during health care visits. Adults with LEP do not report these experiences at significantly higher rates compared with those who are English proficient.

Importance of Linguistically Concordant Care

Nearly four in ten adults with LEP say fewer than half of their recent health care visits were with a provider who spoke their preferred language. While six in ten (63%) adults with LEP say at least half of their health care visits in the past three years were with a doctor or health care provider that spoke their preferred language, just 28% say that all of them were. Almost four in ten (37%) say that fewer than half of their visits were with a language concordant provider, including 15% who say they had no health care visits in the past three years with a provider who spoke their preferred language. In addition, among adults with LEP, four in ten say fewer than half of their health care visits in the past year were with a provider who shared their racial and ethnic background.

Adults with LEP who have more visits with providers who speak their preferred language are less likely to report facing language barriers while getting health care. Overall, four in ten LEP adults who say at least half of their health care visits in the past three years were with a provider who spoke their preferred language report experiencing at least one language barrier, compared with six in ten among those who had fewer than half of their health care visits with a language-concordant provider. For example, 45% of LEP adults who say less than half of their health care visits were with a provider who spoke their preferred language say they had trouble communicating with medical office staff, compared with 26% of those who had half or more of their health care visits with a language concordant provider.

Adults with LEP who have more visits with a provider who speaks their preferred language are more likely to say they are comfortable asking questions about their health and treatment compared to those with fewer visits with a language concordant provider. Six in ten (61%) LEP adults who had at least half their visits with providers who spoke their preferred language say they have felt very comfortable asking questions compared to four in ten (43%) of those who had fewer visits with a language concordant provider.

Adults with LEP who have more visits with language-concordant providers are more likely to say their providers usually respect their cultural values and beliefs and ask them about social factors like access to work, food, and housing. Among adults with LEP, those who had at least half of their health care visits with a provider who spoke their preferred language are more likely to say their providers understood and respected their cultural values and beliefs most or every time compared with those who had fewer visits with language-concordant providers (87% vs. 76%). While few LEP adults overall say their provider asked them about their work, housing situation or access to food or transportation during recent health care visits, those who had at least half of their visits with language concordant providers are more likely than those who had fewer visits with such providers to say this happened at least most of the time (29% vs. 15%).

• Racial Equity and Health Policy
• Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health
• TOPLINE & METHODOLOGY

Also of Interest

• LGBT Adults’ Experiences with Discrimination and Health Care Disparities: Findings from the KFF Survey of Racism, Discrimination, and Health
• KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health: Views on Racism and Trust in Key U.S. Institutions
• Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health: Experiences and Impacts Across Racial and Ethnic Groups

Barriers to Effective Communication Analytical Essay

Communication is the process through which information is transferred from the sender the receiver via a given medium. Under normal circumstance, the expectation is that the receiver will successfully decode the message and send it back to the sender as feedback (Mehrabian, 1971, p. 9).

In order to operate at an efficient level, all organizations need effective communication. On the other hand, workplace communication has not always been easy. This is because the workplace constitutes individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and aspirations (Mehrabian, 1971, p. 15).

It is the wish of every organization therefore that effective communication would thrive in the working environment. However, there are various challenges that might be encountered in the process. If at all we wish to achieve effective communication, there is need to convey information in a clear and unambiguous manner. This means that there should be no distortion of messages.

On the other hand, if your message is not well received then you are facing a barrier to effective communication. These barriers to effective communication have always acted as roadblocks to our personal and professional lives (Barnlund, 2008, p. 19).

An effective communication barrier remains one of the greatest challenges that organizations have to encounter in their day- to- day operations. It has been proven that there is a 50% to 70 % loss of meaning to messages conveyed from one individual or group of individuals to another (Barnlund, 2008, p. 25).

This therefore helps to explain why there are various barriers to effective communication in any given organization. These barriers may vary from different organizations in relation to how they handle communication. They include; physical barriers, emotions, language, lack of subject knowledge and stress.

Physical barrier to communication can be viewed from different perspectives. It may be in the form of a large working area that is physically separated from the other (Barnlund, 2008, p. 28). As a matter of fact, it will not be easy for communication to take place because on most occasions, individuals may end up not relaying their messages well.

There are also other distractions that may cause physical barriers in a given organization, such as noise. Noise does not allow effective communication to thrive because there will be a lot of distractions that may lead to distortion (Mehrabian, 1971, p. 23). The environment might not facilitate effective communication in a broad perspective. This can be the office environment an individual is exposed to, such as the allocation of tasks and other things.

Language becomes a barrier to effective communication when people cannot understand each other while communicating (Berlo, 1997, p. 18). This is especially the case when there is an inability to converse in a language that is understood by both the sender and the receiver within an organization. People can sometimes write or speak in a language that is not understood well by another individual and this means that there will be some misunderstanding in as far as communication is concerned.

There should be a common language either in written or spoken from, and such a common language should be understood by everybody within the organization. Although this can be achieved, nevertheless, it has been complicated by the fact that there are some organizations that operate on a global market. Such organizations are normally exposed to different language and cultural backgrounds that end up hindering effective communication in a broad way (Berlo, 1997, p. 25).

Emotions have also proved to be a barrier to effective communication in different perspectives of an organization. If one’s emotions are engrossed he/she will not be in a good position to express or converse in an understandable way, and this will create a big misunderstanding (Schramm, 1994, p. 11). In such a situation, one will have a big problem in understanding what others are saying or still they will not be in a good position to listen carefully to what is being communicated.

Emotional interferences vary from individual to individual depending on their personalities. In some scenarios, it might be necessary for organizations to ensure that they understand their employees well and in the process come up with good mechanisms that will facilitate communication (Schramm, 1994, p. 18).

Lack of subject knowledge has also come out as a barrier to effective communication in different ways. It is quite obvious that if one is not in a good position to understand a subject knowledge, he will not be able to convey or explain what a particular message was meant or intended for. If both the receiver and sender are not in a position to understand the subject knowledge, then it is obvious that they will not communicate well and this will be a barrier to their communication (Berlo, 1997, p. 35).

Stress has also been mentioned as a barrier to effective communication in many organizations. It is undeniable that an individual may not communicate well if he/she is under stress. Employees might be subjected to stress depending on the tasks that they have been assigned to accomplish. This means that if an employee is under a lot of stress he/she might find it hard to understand a message and this will lead to distortion (Schramm, 1994, p. 23).

It can be explained that in times of stress, our psychological frame of mind will depend on different things. This can be our experiences, beliefs, values and goals which may make us not to realize the essence of effective communication (Schramm, 1994, p. 29). All these barriers to effective communication must be deal with for organizations and the society to reap the full benefits of communication. An effective and active listening process seems like the only remedy to triumphing over barriers to effective communication.

Effective listening

Possession of the right skills of listening acts as the foundation to becoming a good listener. This means that they should strive to become effective listeners. Effective listening can not be done concurrently with speaking but should be enhanced for good communication to take place (Handel, 1989. P. 12).

There is need for one to cultivate the right skills of listening through being quite attentive at social engagements and in conversations in order to achieve maximum benefits. In any given society, most people prefer talking to listening. There is a common feeling that people will prefer to be approved, understood and appreciated from what they say rather than what others say (Handel, 1989. P. 16).

Conversely, speaking helps individuals to express their thoughts and desires. People will always see a lot of advantages in speaking rather than listening to what others are saying (Handel, 1989. P. 18). The importance of listening has therefore been ignored save for academic and professional fields (Schramm, 1994, p. 31).

It is important to cultivate the right direction that will guide us on when to talk and listen. Effective listening should be cultivated not out of fear of speaking but the desire to have good communication skills. It should be understood that we don’t listen to impress others but rather to have a good understanding of the individuals we are communicating with.

People who are good in communication have always attested to the fact that it is very important to listen than to talk. When an individual listens attentively, he/she will be in a good position to understand the situations at hand, people and the world around thereby forming a good opinion and judgment. This will result in good communication that will enhance our relations (Handel, 1989. P. 22).

To achieve effective listening, we must be able to concentrate on what others are saying. On the other hand, we must also be in a good position to send a non verbal message that we are actually interested in what others are saying and in real sense listening to it (Handel, 1989. P. 26). In addition, it also necessary that we avoid early evaluations when people are talking so that we can listen to them well and get what they really meant.

Effective listening demands that individuals avoid being defensive when they are conversing. This will enable them to listen to each other well and enhance communication. It is also good to practice paraphrasing so that you can easily give out information that will be understood by the recipient (Handel, 1989. P. 28). This can also be enhanced by listening for feelings that will enable us to have a good judgment.

Reference List

Barnlund, D. C. (2008). A transactional model of communication . New Jersey: Transaction.

Berlo, D. K. (1997). The process of communication . New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

Handel, S. (1989) Listening: An Introduction to the Perception of Auditory Events. Cambridge: MIT Press.

Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent Messages . Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Schramm, W. (1994). How communication works: The process and effects of communication. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, July 16). Barriers to Effective Communication. https://ivypanda.com/essays/barriers-to-effective-communication/

"Barriers to Effective Communication." IvyPanda , 16 July 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/barriers-to-effective-communication/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Barriers to Effective Communication'. 16 July.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Barriers to Effective Communication." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/barriers-to-effective-communication/.

1. IvyPanda . "Barriers to Effective Communication." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/barriers-to-effective-communication/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Barriers to Effective Communication." July 16, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/barriers-to-effective-communication/.

• Communication, Its Definition and Reasons
• What One Key Issue Hinders Sustainable Organizational Performance?
• The Process of E-Communication
• Seven Habits of High Successful People by Stephen Covey
• Successful Business Communication: Chapter Overview
• Factors Influencing Communication in Organizations Research Paper
• Lessons from a Course on Online Business Communication
• Impact of Culture on Communication Reflective Essay

Essay on Communication Barriers

Students are often asked to write an essay on Communication Barriers in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Communication Barriers

What are communication barriers.

Communication barriers are like walls that stop people from sharing ideas clearly. Imagine trying to talk to someone through a thick glass wall. Just like the wall makes it hard to hear, these barriers make understanding each other difficult.

Types of Barriers

There are many types of barriers. Language differences, loud noises, and even our emotions can be barriers. If you speak English and your friend speaks Spanish, language is a barrier. If you’re trying to talk at a noisy party, sound is a barrier.

Overcoming Barriers

To break down these walls, we need to be patient and try different ways to share our thoughts. Maybe we can use pictures or learn a few words in another language. It’s all about finding a way to connect.

250 Words Essay on Communication Barriers

Communication is when people exchange thoughts, messages, or information. Sometimes, this process doesn’t work well because of barriers. Communication barriers are like walls that stop messages from being understood correctly.

Types of Communication Barriers

First, there are language barriers. When people don’t speak the same language or use very different words, they might not understand each other. Next, there are physical barriers. This can be as simple as a bad phone connection or being too far away to hear.

Emotional and Cultural Walls

Feelings can also be a barrier. If someone is angry or sad, they might not listen well or speak clearly. Culture can be a wall too. People from different places might have their own ways of talking or understanding things, which can lead to confusion.

To break down these walls, we can learn other languages or find better ways to connect, like video calls instead of just voice calls. We should also pay attention to our feelings and try to be clear when we talk or write. Understanding other cultures can help a lot, too.

In summary, communication barriers are like obstacles that make it hard to share messages. They can be because of language, distance, emotions, or culture. By knowing about these barriers, we can try to fix them and talk to each other better.

500 Words Essay on Communication Barriers

Communication is like a bridge between people. It lets us share ideas, feelings, and information. But sometimes, this bridge can have problems, called communication barriers. These barriers make it hard to send and understand messages clearly. Imagine trying to talk to someone with a wall between you. That’s what these barriers are like. They can be caused by many things, such as language differences, loud noises, or even our emotions.

There are several types of barriers that can mess up communication. First, there are physical barriers. These are real, like walls, or distance between people. If you’re trying to talk to a friend across a noisy playground, it’s tough to hear each other.

Next, there are language barriers. When people don’t speak the same language or use very difficult words, it’s like they’re speaking a code that the other person can’t crack.

Another type is emotional barriers. If someone is feeling sad, angry, or scared, it can be hard for them to listen or explain their thoughts well.

Cultural barriers are also important. People from different places can have different ways of talking and understanding things. This can lead to confusion if they don’t know about each other’s customs.

Why Do These Barriers Matter?

Communication barriers are a big deal because they can cause misunderstandings. If you’re playing a game and you can’t understand the rules because they’re explained in a confusing way, you won’t be able to play properly. In real life, this can lead to arguments, mistakes, or people feeling bad because they think they’re not being listened to.

Overcoming Communication Barriers

So, what can we do about these barriers? To start, we can try to be clear when we talk or write. Using simple words and short sentences can help a lot. Also, paying attention to the person you’re talking to is important. Look at their face and body to see if they understand you.

If there’s noise, try to find a quieter place to talk. If you’re dealing with language barriers, pictures or hand signs can help. And if emotions are high, taking a break to calm down before talking can make things easier.

Communication barriers can be tricky, but knowing about them is the first step to breaking them down. By being patient, clear, and kind, we can get better at sharing our thoughts and understanding others. Just like fixing a bridge, it takes work to fix communication, but it’s worth it to connect with friends and family. With practice, we can all become super communicators, even when barriers pop up.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Communication
• Essay on Communication And Globalization
• Essay on Communicable Diseases

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.