Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h8BNH8720721; Thu, 11 Sep 2003 19:17:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 19:17:08 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <3F60EB89.3A5D1D5A@tenet.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: james phillips <jphilip@tenet.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4105] home/remedies/cultural/beliefs X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.72 [en] (Win98; I) Status: O Content-Length: 2758 Lines: 62 You may have seen my web page “El Consultorio” at http://www.stcc.cc.tx.us/library/guides/elconsultorio.htm or at the old URL and wondered ‘what’s that for or who needs that list, there’s no links or what was ol’ Jimbo thinking when he made that list public.’ I collected many words and expressions from interviews of folks residing in this region and northeastern Mexico. But, they heard and used across Mexico. The list wasn’t really intended for medical librarians. It’s more for translators and students of the Spanish language who take an occupational Spanish course, like medical Spanish. The expression I used as an example to get folks to feel free talking to me was ‘sangre de chango.’ Literally, it means ‘monkey blood’. But, it’s used to refer to ‘iodine.’ Surprisingly, the collection turned out to be mostly home remedies and cultural beliefs. There’s even Mexican Indian words. They’re not slang or archaisms or made-up words. Every week I receive criticisms of the list. Translators write and say that’s not the definition they know when challenging a definition. Medical librarians write and mention that some of those seem dangerous to suggest someone try. But, they miss the point. They’re not for someone to try instead of visiting a clinic or physician. A Spanish high school teacher, who uses the list, wrote last year and stated that he was the local hospital volunteer translator. But, he stated that he realized that he was not a trained medical Spanish translator and encountered many translating difficulties My sister-in-law told me that those words and expressions were what poor people say and use. Sure they are!. Everybody here knows that. If poor people had access to health care and were health literate, they wouldn’t resort to these remedies. Or visit they local curandero. 40% of the migrants and 40% of the farmworkers of Texas live in the county, Hidalgo, where I’m at right now as I write. They spend time across the country seeking employment. Many use these home remedies and cultural beliefs. Medical librarians probably don’t have them as patrons. And, neither do most other librarians. Or, health care providers. This also true for the international migrants passing through here from Central America. They’re called ‘transmigrantes’ and many come from the Honduras. There’s the start of another list of home remedies and cultural beliefs. I’d like to hear from you. Let me know what you think. James Phillips, MLS Librarian South Texas Community College Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Center 1101 East Vermont McAllen, Texas 78501 956-683-3121 956-683-3190 (fax) www.stcc.cc.tx.us www.stcc.cc.tx.us/nah phillips@stcc.cc.tx.us jphilip@tenet.edu se habla español
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