I interviewed 2 people that immigrated from different countries who had to learn how to speak English on their own. My friend’s Mom immigrated from Ukraine, while my coworker came from Colombia. Their experiences are different but I noticed that they didn’t talk much about being discriminated against or anything super negative. This makes me happy, because I always hear about discrimination towards people who don’t speak English as their first language; however, because of where we live, I believe that both my interviewee’s had a welcoming experience. Overall, I learned a lot from this project, especially about the benefits of being multilingual and the experiences my interviewee’s went through.

Annabelle Autar

-Madi D.

-Gabriella Yunaev

Overall, I saw how language differences didn’t divide peoplethey created curiosity and community.

-Angelina D'Alessandro

Inside the classrooms, children’s voices blend together naturally, some speaking English, others sprinkling in Spanish or words from their home languages. Teachers and aides, like myself, often use gestures, visuals, and repetition to make sure that every child can understand and participate. This helps create an environment where multilingualism feels normal and respected, rather than something separate or different.

The smell of crayons, hand sanitizer, and snack time fills the air, giving the school a warm, familiar feeling. Bulletin boards proudly display the word “Hello” written in many languages, and students often point out the ones they recognize. While English is the primary language used during lessons, there is a visible and genuine effort among the staff to acknowledge and celebrate students home languages, especially during circle time, family events, and cultural celebrations. Through these daily interactions, Franklin Early Childhood Center demonstrates a true appreciation for linguistic diversity and inclusion.

For this project, I picked the hospital where my mom has worked for 23 years. I have been to Mount Sinai South Nassau multiple times for volunteer work with the pediatric nurses (My mom is a pediatric nurse); I have heard my mom's coworkers speaking with each other in various languages, so that's why I felt this was the perfect place for this project. It had never really occurred to me just how many patients are unable to communicate with healthcare workers because of language barriers. This is a serious issue, and having multilingual healthcare workers is extremely important. Patients need to be heard to be correctly treated, and healthcare workers need to be able to effectively ask patients questions, explain procedures to them, and give them discharge instructions, etc. My project answers various questions about how multilingual patients (or patients who are monolingual and don't speak any English) and coworkers communicate with each other in the healthcare world.

Title: Languages of Care: Voices Across New York’s Nursing Homes
By: Alan Kucher

I. Setting and Context

As part of my job performing EKGs and pacemaker checks, I traveled through all five boroughs of New York City, visiting dozens of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Each site had its own cultural rhythm and linguistic identity.
Although I couldn’t take photos because of privacy rules, every visit offered a glimpse into how language shapes care, communication, and belonging.

In this mini ethnography, I focus on three interviews—one with a head nurse, one with a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and one with a patient—along with my observations and reflections on linguistic diversity, appreciation, and discrimination.

II. Observations: What I Saw, Heard, and Felt

What I saw:

• Brooklyn: Signs and labels written in Russian, Hebrew, and Yiddish; staff often spoke Russian to elderly patients.

• Bronx: Spanish filled the air, from medical instructions to casual conversations between families and staff.

• Queens: A mix of Mandarin, Bengali, and Tagalog among nurses and aides.

• Manhattan: More English-dominant, but diverse accents and code-switching were common.

• Staten Island: Mostly English, with traces of Italian and Spanish from older families.

What I heard:

• Medical staff switching languages to reassure patients.

• Occasional misunderstandings that led to frustration when translators weren’t available.

• Joyful exchanges when someone’s native language was recognized and respected.

What I felt:

• Admiration for multilingual staff who bridged cultural gaps.

• Compassion toward patients who felt isolated when they couldn’t express themselves.

• A sense of how powerful language can be in restoring dignity and comfort.

  
  

III. Interviews

1. Head Nurse (Bronx Rehab Center)

Q: How does language affect patient care in this facility?
A: “Language is everything,” she said immediately. “Most of our patients are Spanish-speaking. When we talk to them in English only, they nod, but you can tell they don’t understand. Once someone speaks to them in Spanish, you see their shoulders drop, they relax. It’s like the tension disappears.”

Q: Have you noticed any language-based bias?
A: “Sometimes new staff from other regions don’t realize how much Spanish dominates here. They might joke about it or seem annoyed, but it’s not intentional—it’s more lack of awareness.”

2. Certified Nursing Assistant (Brooklyn Nursing Home)

Q: What languages do you hear most often where you work?
A: “Russian, Hebrew, and sometimes Yiddish. I’m not fluent, but I’ve learned basic phrases. It helps so much—patients appreciate even small efforts.”

Q: Do you feel being multilingual is valued?
A: “Definitely. The ones who can switch between languages are in high demand. It’s like a superpower. But sometimes, those who have accents feel judged by supervisors or patients. That’s the sad part.”

3. Patient (Queens Rehab Facility)

Q: Do you feel comfortable communicating with staff?
A: “Yes and no,” the patient said through a translator. “Sometimes they speak slowly in English and I understand. But when someone speaks to me in Bengali, I feel safe. I trust them more. It feels like home.”

Q: Do you think language changes the kind of care people receive?
A: “Of course. If you can’t explain how you feel, how can they help you?”

IV. Reflection and Analysis

Across these interviews, language emerged as both a tool of connection and a source of division.
When staff could communicate in a patient’s native language, it built instant trust and emotional comfort. But when that bridge was missing, patients sometimes withdrew or miscommunicated symptoms.

Drawing from Ofelia García’s concept of translanguaging, I saw that true communication in these spaces didn’t follow rigid language boundaries—English, Spanish, Russian, or Bengali often blended naturally. This fluid use of language reflected humanity more than grammar.

I also noticed echoes of April Baker-Bell’s argument in Linguistic Justice (2020): that linguistic hierarchies often mirror power hierarchies. In healthcare, those hierarchies can silently influence whose voices are heard most clearly.

V. Conclusion

Working in nursing homes across New York’s boroughs showed me that language is part of care. It can comfort, isolate, heal, or divide.
The head nurse taught me that empathy begins with listening in someone’s own words.
The CNA reminded me that multilingualism is undervalued labor that sustains communication every day.
And the patient revealed that being understood—truly understood—is the foundation of feeling human.

Language, I realized, isn’t just spoken. It’s felt. And in every quiet interaction—from an EKG to a simple “¿Cómo está?”—I saw how words have the power to restore dignity and connection.

Her house has books and decorations with Hebrew writing, and sometimes she plays Israeli music while cooking. You can smell the food and hear both languages at the same time it makes the house feel warm and full of life.

When I asked her about it, she said Hebrew reminds her of home and her childhood, and English helps her connect with people here. Sometimes she says people look at her funny when she speaks Hebrew in public, but she doesn’t really care. She’s proud to speak both.

For me, hearing her mix Hebrew and English feels special. It shows how language can connect different parts of who we are. In her house, both languages live together like family. 💙

For my mini ethnographic project I focused on Sunday dinner at my Nonna's house. My grandparents are Italian and luckily on this Sunday my Nonna's cousin and her husband were there for dinner. English is a second language for my Nonna and her cousins, they were raised speaking Italian. When they're together, they speak Italian. around us, it's a combination of English and Italian.

The house is decorated with a lot of Italian images and religious items,. We had pasta, and homemade sauce and the house had a fresh italian restaurant smell.

all of them were born in Italy and when we were sitting around for dinner, I asked them what's the biggest difference between sunday dinner when they were growing up and the sunday dinners we have now. They main response was that things used to be more simple. The ingredients to cook, the conversations and the daily lives were simpler back in the day.

I'm not sure if I will learn Italian well enough to converse with them, but I can understand enough to get an idea of what they're saying. Hopefully with each new generation of kids, we don't lose sight of the history of the culture and language

For our project we focused on multilingualism in the synagogue. Here are some points we learned in our interviews...

• Hebrew is central to Jewish worship and tradition.

• Translations (English, Russian, Spanish) make worship inclusive.

• Some members feel left out if they don’t understand Hebrew.

• Synagogue values meaning and intention over perfect pronunciation.

• Events encourage members to share their native languages (e.g., reading the Haggadah).

• Praying in any language is meaningful—God understands all.

• Respect both ancestral and community languages for unity and holiness.

For my project, I interviewed two friends from my hometown of Mineola, which is predominantly Hispanic and Portuguese. One friend was a part of the majority culture, and the other was outside of the majority culture.

Here are some of my findings:

Language is central to cultural experience. Those who speak the same language will feel more connected to each other.

Cultural values and language are directly connected. One's experience with a certain culture will rely on that culture's values. It will also rely on the actions that the person makes (ex. language, body movements, posture, etc.).

Those who grow up as minorities are more likely to feel isolated and discriminated against.

My interviewees had a positive experience interacting with those from different cultures. They were able to immerse themselves in those cultures, which made them feel more open-minded.

Students would feel more accepted if their teachers made an effort to learn about and include their cultures into lesson.

My First Elder's responses focused on:

1) speaking to the congregation, where it depends on reading the room, adjusting tone, and connecting with the audience. He switches languages depending on the person or group.

2) common phrases that helps the church be spiritually connected, and personal testimony for personal connection.

3) shared language experiences showing unity, identity, and culture are preserved through language, connection, and tradition.

The church member's responses focused on:

1) how church feels like family that shares joys, sorrows, meals, and prayers, creating safety, belonging, and strong connections.

2) mixing languages in sermons makes the service more inclusive and beautiful, helping everyone understand and enjoy the message.

3) how multilingualism brings people closer, shows respect, and encourages appreciation of cultural diversity.

I learned that language is more than words. It carries identity, tradition, and a sense of belonging, creating a community where everyone feels understood and at home.

Based on my questions they told me what comes naturally to them in terms of language and the upsides along with the downsides. They explained the importance of knowing multiple languages and how they wished for my family and I to continue using and teaching Russian with the future generations.

My grandparents also own a pharmacy and a lot of their clientele speaks Spanish. Along with learning English, they also picked up Spanish. This shows the importance of language in life and throughout career. I find it very interesting how quickly they can pick up on new cultural norms and languages.

Throughout my interview, I asked my coworker some questions based on our job, and the languages itself. Although most of us grow up learning English, sometimes we make sacrifices for our environment. Not only did I assure to learn their language, but also their religion. Their religion and culture can be highly different than others, therefore it is important to understand their religion, culture, and language to assure respect and wisdom.

At Club Pilates in New Hyde Park, I noticed how many languages flow through the studio each day. Most clients and instructors communicate in English, but I often hear little snippets of Spanish, Italian, Korean, etc. between members before and after class. The sounds of upbeat music mix with laughter, reformers moving, and friendly greetings “Hi, how are you?” blending with “¡Hola!” or “Namaste!”

Although English is the main language used during instruction, members often translate or explain moves to friends in their home language. The studio smells faintly of fresh linens and new mats, and the environment always feels warm and inclusive. Still, I noticed that some clients hesitate to speak their home language openly, especially if they worry others might not understand.

Interview Questions

1. How do you feel when you use your home language at the studio?
   
   

2. Have you ever felt judged or misunderstood because of your accent or language?
   
   

3. Can you remember a time when someone appreciated your language or cultural background here?
   
   

4. Do you think the studio encourages diversity and inclusion?
   
   

5. What languages make you feel most comfortable or confident?
   
   

I interviewed three people: one instructor, one long-time client, and one new member.

The instructor, who speaks both English and Spanish, said she loves when Spanish-speaking members ask her for help in their language. “It feels like they trust me more,” she explained.

The long-time client, originally from Ecuador, shared that she sometimes avoids speaking Spanish because she worries others won’t understand. “But when someone recognizes it or says something kind about my accent,” she said, “I feel proud.”

The new member, who speaks only English, said she enjoys hearing other languages in class because “it makes the space feel more alive and welcoming.”

Asking people these questions taught me many things about how we operate day to day, such as: 

Linguistic Appreciation: Multilingual members help create a welcoming and connected environment.

Linguistic Discrimination: Some people still hold back from using their home language due to fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

Workplace Culture: Club Pilates is friendly and open, but more visible celebration of language diversity (like bilingual signs or cultural playlist days) could make it even more inclusive.

Through this project, I realized how language helps build community, even in a fitness studio. At Club Pilates, small moments of multilingual communication show appreciation, trust, and belonging. When people feel comfortable using their own language, the studio becomes more than a place to work out. It becomes a space where everyone’s identity and voice are valued.

What country do you originate from

 mexico

What are the norms in your country as far as language goes?

We speak spanish in mexico

 Do you believe that people in your country speak and communicate in a different way than the US or other countries in Latin America?

Yes, mexicans speak a different spanish than for example dominicans. Every country has a specific accent when they speak spanish. We also speak more proper and greet differently then here in the united states

What do you feel is different between society here than back in your country

Over there i think that everyone is  more connected physically. I think that in new york in public everyone is on their phones 24/7 and over there people  talk to each other and greet each other with a hug and a kiss. I dont know how it is over there now since i havent been to mexico in 20 years so it might be different than the way i remember it.

Key takeaway: This can all go to show that communication is rey different in different parts in the world but also that communication changes over time and evolves to fit the mold of society and how society evolves

My Nonna’s response focused on the trouble she had learning the English language right away and not being able to communicate with the people around her. This was a big challenge for her, not being able to be understood. She used the resources around her and started watching a kid show called Sesame Street to learn the English language. She also talked about how she was more comfortable speaking Italian however most people didn’t understand it so she would speak English.

My Nonno talked about how it was when he first got to America. He first lived in Mineola, he moved to Franklin Square once he started having kids. He started off working for a landscaping company. He started to pick up on English from working with people. He later opened his own landscaping company. He talked about how his English got better over the years, but is still not perfect. He said it gets better and better every day.

I learned that language is more than just something that is spoken. It is something that makes you feel comfortable and carries your identity and traditions. Without language, we would never be able to celebrate my Nonna and Nonno‘s traditions that they brought here to America.

Lacrosse practice

Hear- everyone breathing heavy and cheering each other on. Coaches telling us what to do. The sound of everyone cleats hitting the turf while we are running

See - everyone in the same outfit matching in our practice sets. The coaches standing in the front watching us practice

Touch/feel - my lacrosse stick in my hand and I feel the sweat on my hands and the soreness in my body

Smell- the fresh air outside and the turf

I interviewed one of the girls on my team who is international and these are the questions I asked:

Can you tell me your experience being on the team while speaking another language?

How did you feel on your first day?

Can you describe your typical day switching back and forth with the two languages?

Her responses:

1. It has been good, because I understand everything people say, but I don’t always have the flow to say exactly what I want. Sometimes I need a second to think. My teammates always help me, explain things, and make everything easier for me, so I never feel lost.

2. My first day at school was really stressful because I didn’t know what to expect. It was hard to focus in class since I had to constantly translate in my head what the teacher was saying. I understood it, but it took extra energy, so the whole day felt a bit overwhelming at first but it was exciting.

3. In the beginning it was really hard — my head literally hurt from speaking English all day, and sometimes I would forget and start talking to people in Polish. A lot of times I knew exactly what I wanted to say in Polish, but I didn’t know how to put it into English. It took time, but now switching between the two languages feels easier, even if I still think in Polish first.

Luzinette Torres

I picked my job at a kindergarten school. I interviewed two teachers who is a bilingual and non bilingual teacher.

For this project, I observed how multilingualism and translanguaging is prominent in my family home. Between my mother and father, who are Native Spanish speakers that are learning English, I asked them questions to see how they observe translanguaging and their ability to switch from one language to another. I was able to notice when they prefer speaking Spanish/English, what kind of language they use with others whether it’s a friend or someone they’re meeting for the first time, and what their routine is like to see what habits they practice surrounding multilingualism. Overall, it was interesting to see how translanguaging is existent in my family home and community!

Daniela Bonilla

For my Mini Ethnographic Project I wrote about my experiences with the Learning Resource program on campus