A new course helps doctors to better understand Sensler German. It’s not just about language.
It is an eternal discussion at the Freiburg hospital HFR: bilingualism. The German -Freiburgers in particular often do not feel understood. Some therefore switch to a Bernese hospital.
The situation is particularly challenging for the people from the Sense district. Because the Sensler dialect sounds unusual for many ears. For example, Seisler and Seisler say “Häppere” for “potatoes” or “Gugge” for “looking”.
Language as an icebreaker
Hugo Estuelle is an assistant doctor at Hospital Tafers FR and regularly treats people from the Sense district. As a Welscher, he often tries to understand her. “The language is very important in medicine,” he says, explaining: “80 percent of diagnostics is anamnesis, i.e. the conversation with the patient. If we don’t understand a detail, this can have the consequences. » That is why Hugo Estuelle attends a Sensler German course.
Many patients in the Taafers hospital speak German German – and are often not understood by the staff.
SRF
This course is organized by the HFR and other Freiburg health organizations. In addition to typical Sensler, the course conveys how Sensler tick.
A sick person is vulnerable – and if she has to repeat a set three times, that’s not good.
Anja Bohr, a senior doctor at the Tafers Hospital, has organized the course. She grew up in the Sense district and knows the concerns of the Sensler. “A sick person is vulnerable – and if she has to repeat a set three times, that’s not good.” And this should not be – especially when it comes to health.
Employees of the Taaf hospital in the introductory course: they want to get closer to the patients.
SRF
That is why she wants to ensure that HFR doctors receive a wire to the Sensler. “The language is an icebreaker,” she says – from experience. Anja Bohr also worked as a doctor in other cantons. “I was often asked about my Sensler dialect by patients.” This resulted in conversations that had nothing to do with the disease.
Linguistic and cultural misunderstandings
The course takes an hour and a half. “After that, the participants will certainly not be able to speak Sensler German, but they know a few words where there can be confusion between German and Sensler German,” says Christian Schmutz, course instructor and author of the Sensler-English Dictionary. He mentions the word “tuusche” as an example. If a Sensler says she is “tuasting”, then she thinks she is changing. But a non-sensler may understand that she is “showering”.
In addition to linguistic differences, it is important for Christian Schmutz that the participants know how Sensler ticks. This includes, for example, that they are reserved. This could give problems especially in the healthcare system. For example, when a sensler asked the question of how he is doing, just say: “It works.” Maybe he has severe pain. Therefore: “Anyone who knows the reserved type of Sensler can better assess the situation.”
This is also the opinion of Anja Bohr. That is why she wants to continue the course together with Christian Schmutz and open it to all health professionals in the canton.
For assistant doctor Hugo Estuelle it is clear after the course: he now understands the Sensler better.
Nevertheless: The Sensler Germany course is only a first small step on the way to a better understanding between German and French. Around half of the German -Freiburg patients still dodge in Bernese hospitals.
