However, nurses must first understand the patient's
language. In Saudi Arabia, nearly all patients are native
Arabic speakers, but they are cared for primarily by nurses
who know little Arabic. Language is an integral part of
how culture functions. A study in Saudi Arabia, for example,
found that tension developed between nurses, patients,
and families when nurses were not fluent in Arabic. This lack
of fluency resulted in miscommunication that could negatively
influence the nurse-patient relationship (Halligan,
2005). According to Green-Hernandez and Quinn (2004)
several studies have shown that, if a nurse is able to speak
a few words or phrases of the patient's language, the patient
tends to interpret that as a desire to connect. Such
lowers communication barriers and invites trust.