Effects of Metaphors for Asian and Majority-Culture Students

Abstract

Nursing programs have seen an increase in multicultural students entering into the profession. One challenge is that of communicating clearly among groups of people including majority Americans and those for whom English is a second language. This article addresses the effectiveness of metaphors that bridge the gap between a known concept and one that is new to the learner. This study found that students from the majority culture and those for whom English is a second language misunderstand metaphors. Therefore, faculty members who seek to communicate clearly should pay special attention to the use of metaphors. One challenge to the nurse is effective communication, as the client may not yet have acquired the ability to understand common metaphors. The student who has been educated to be sensitive to these concerns will provide better care for these clients.