Lost or found in translation: multilingualism among Arab bibliotherapists in Israel

ABSTRACT

This study examines the use of verbal (Arabic/Hebrew), cultural (collectivist/individual), and therapeutic languages (bibliotherapy/psychotherapy) among Israeli-Arab bibliotherapists. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among 10 therapists to ascertain how their multilingualism influences their dialogues among themselves, with their patients, as well as which literature they integrate into their work. Three main findings emerged: (1) Lingual choice to reflect proximity or distance from emotional issues in therapy, or from their own culture at supervision; (2) Literature selection based on their patient's needs and to reduce diglossia; and (3) A need to translate the professional glossary to Arabic, and to group with Israeli-Arab colleagues. In conclusion, the therapists created an integrative and hybrid identity moving between different languages in order to meet the needs of proximity or distance from themselves, their patients, and their culture. This study can help multicultural therapists better conceptualize their experiences, and consolidate their identities.

KEYWORDS:

• Multilingualism
• mother tongue
• second language
• biculturalism
• hybrid identity
• culturally sensitive therapy
• bibliotherapy
• Cross-cultural

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.