Careful Words: Nursing, Language, and Emotion in Papua New Guinea. Issue 8 (17th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andersen, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Medical anthropology. Volume 36:Issue 8(2017)
• Page Start: 758
• Page End: 771
• Publication Date: 2017-11-17
• Subjects: Papua New Guinea -- care -- emotion -- language ideology -- professional nursing -- sexually transmitted diseases; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2017.1317771
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-9740

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Papua New Guinean nurses work in a sociomedical system in which cultural and linguistic diversity are matters of pressing concern. Using data drawn from ethnographic research with PNG nursing students, I show how nursing education socializes nurses to take stances toward language and communication that impact their care practices. I argue that nurses' use of language is shaped by their ethical commitments as educated Christians and indigenous concerns about the links between language, emotion, and health. In a resource-poor setting where health workers risk blame for structural inequalities, this "ethical metapragmatics" is an important but neglected facet of care work.