Language identification chart(external link) Refugee Council, UK, 2020
This chart contains translations for “I speak (language)” in 62 languages.
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Communication cards
Communication cards contain a set of icons that patients can use if they are having difficulty communicating their immediate needs, wants or concerns. These cards can be very useful during hospital visits or stays.
The cards can be printed and left with the patient during their visit in a healthcare service.
Patients and their families can point to the relevant icons to help their communication with staff. It is hoped that these cards will improve the safety and quality of care for some of our patients who may not be able to communicate effectively.
Sets of 12 picture/word communication cards in many different languages. They cover the following themes:
- Food / Drink / Meals
- Personal Care
- Feelings / Pain
- Religion / Spirituality
- Sleep
- Mobility Aids
- Medical / Health Specialists
- TV / Recreation
Languages
- English(external link)
- Samoan/English(external link)
- Tongan/English(external link)
- Amharic/English(external link)
- Arabic/English(external link)
- Burmese/English(external link)
- Chinese (simplified)/English(external link)
- Chinese (traditional)/English(external link)
- Filipino Tagalog/English(external link)
- French/English(external link)
- Greek/English(external link)
- Gujarati/English(external link)
- Hindi/English(external link)
- Italian/English(external link)
- Japanese/English(external link)
- Korean/English(external link)
- Persian Dari/English(external link) Farsi/English(external link)
- Punjabi/English(external link)
- Somali/English(external link)
- Spanish/English(external link)
- Tamil/English(external link)
- Thai/English(external link)
- Urdu/English(external link)
- Vietnamese/English(external link)
More can be found on the Health Translations site(external link).
These communication cards, designed by the Design for Health and Wellbeing Lab, have been translated into several languages:
There's also a blank version(external link) an interpreter, family member or friend can complete with translations of other languages.
Pacific Language Cards(external link) from Ministry for Pacific Peoples, NZ
- Cook Islands Māori(external link) (Kūki ‘Āirani Māori)
- Fijian(external link) (Vosa Vakaviti)
- Kiribati(external link) (Te taetae ni Kiribat
- Niue(external link) (Vagahau Niue)
- Rotuman(external link) (Fäeag Rotuạm)
- Samoa(external link) (Gagana Samoa)
- Tokelau(external link) (Te Gagana Tokelau)
- Tonga(external link) (Lea Faka-Tonga)
- Tuvalu(external link) (Te Gana Tuvalu)
A set of cards for people with hearing loss to use in different situations to assist with communication.
Deaf and hard of hearing communication cards(external link) Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, NZ
The Ward Communication Tool was developed to help Queensland Health staff communicate with people who do not speak English well, or at all, about simple day-to-day issues.
The tool contains words commonly used in the healthcare setting.
The tool can be used to communicate simple needs. For more complex communication, engage a professional interpreter.
If you're not sure which language to choose use the language identification card(external link). The person can choose their preferred language.
Languages
More languages are available from Queensland Health, Australia(external link)
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