Navigating Multilingualism: Patterns of Language Choice and Code-Switching in Algerian Healthcare Settings.

Abstract

This study examines how healthcare providers in Algerian hospitals manage multilingual communication, focusing on language choice and code-switching during patient consultations. Using qualitative methods, observations, interviews, and focus groups, conducted in Tlemcen’s public and private healthcare settings, the research shows that doctors shift between Algerian Arabic and French depending on patient needs, emotional context, and clinical demands. Code switching helps improve clarity, empathy, and authority. Patient cues play a major role in shaping doctors’ language strategies. The study underscores the importance of linguistic sensitivity in delivering effective, patient-centered care in Algeria’s multilingual healthcare environment.