Summary

This text has been written specifically for health care workers who need to be able to communicate in Xhosa. The book depicts health care workers in various contexts in picture form with simple, useful phrases in Xhosa, and is accompanied by an audio tape to enable the second-language Xhosa speaker to hear the correct pronunciation. The guide uses actual conversation between health care workers and their patients in a diverse range of situations, from prenatal interview to well-baby clinics, and outpatients' units to AIDS clinics. It provides a lively and authentic view of what patients really want to say about how they feel, as well as some reasons why a patient might be unwilling to answer a particular question. Cultural issues surrounding health care, such as the use of euphemisms, signs of respect, and avoidance of certain terms, are dealt with in depth.