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No-tech AAC Considerations for Arab Clients with Complex Communication Needs
Diana Deaibes
9/27/2018 5:13 AM
The Communication Matrix expresses that conventional gestures may be unique to the culture in which they are used. When working with Arab clients and their families, it is important to be aware of conventional and unconventional gestures within the Arab community. In my clinical practice, I once worked with a school aged girl from Syria who presented with complex communication needs. Her primary means of communicating was through the use of gestures, predominately pointing. During our sessions, I taught her and her parents a few simple signs including the sign for “more”, “all done”, “open”, “close” and “thank you.” However, when I modeled the sign for “please”, her mother immediately protested against it. She indicated she did not want her daughter to rub on her chest as it would be perceived as inappropriate to their family and friends. As speech-language pathologists, we must be open-minded and ready to make changes that will work for our patients and their families, especially when working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In some cases, clinicians and families may have to collaboratively develop idiosyncratic gestures to replace socially regulated signs (e.g., “please”).
There are a number of conventional gestures that are unique to Arab communities. Below are a few examples of gestures that are frequently used among individuals of the Arab culture and examples of gestures that are deemed inappropriate or offensive. It is important to be aware of these gestures when implementing No-tech AAC. If you are unsure if a gesture is appropriate for your client, it is okay to ask their family.
Conventional gestures used in the Arab community
· When greeting members of the opposite sex, placing the right palm on the chest and bowing head down means “hello”.
· When greeting members of the same sex, shaking hands with the right hand along with 2-3 kisses, on each side of the cheek is a common greeting.
· A quick head nod upwards accompanied by a click of the tongue implies “no”, “unlikely”, or “what you are saying is false”.
· Students raise their index finger in a classroom to request for attention versus raising their whole hand.
· Tapping right hand on the head and saying “3ala Rasi” literally means “on my head” which is an expression of gratitude or it can mean “It’s my obligation” or “On my list of things to accomplish”.
· Holding the fingers in a pear shaped configuration with the tips pointing upwards and moving the hand slightly up and down signals “wait a minute”, slow down” or “be careful”.
· Biting on your bottom lip and raising of the eyebrows suggests that someone did something shameful.
· Flicking the right thumbnail on front teeth can be translated to mean “I have no money”.
Gestures deemed inappropriate in the Arab community
· Men and Women shaking hands or standing too close to one another is inappropriate.
· Crossing your legs and showing the soles of your shoes, especially when it’s facing others is considered rude and insulting.
· Kissing in public, holding hands, or any public display of affection between a man and a woman is inappropriate and culturally unacceptable.
· Using the left hand to shake hands, self-feed, or handing things to someone may be offensive as the left hand is traditionally seen as unclean because it is associated with cleaning yourself after using the bathroom. Many children who begin coloring or writing using their left hand are immediately encouraged by family members to use their right hand.
· In some Middle Eastern countries, giving someone a thumb’s up sign is considered an insult.
· Signing “please” may be inappropriate for females as it would involve touching their chest.
For more information, please refer to these works consulted:
Arabic gestures. (2010). Retrieved September 15, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2010/feb/07/arabic-gestures
Feghali E. (1997). Arab cultural communication patterns. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 21(3), 345-378.
How to be respectful to the Arab culture. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2018, from https://respecingarabculture.weebly.com/body-language.html
Speech-Language Pathologist,Educator,Parent/Family Member,Occupational Therapist,Physical Therapist,Researcher,Developer Vendor,Other,Arabic
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