Developing resources for language and intercultural mediation in healthcare: a terminographic approach to medical Chinese

The increasing number of Chinese residents in Italy underscores the need to address persistent inequalities in healthcare access related to linguistic, cultural, and institutional barriers. Although linguistic and cultural mediation (LCM) is formally recognized within Italian legislation, the lack of standardized training pathways and fragmented service organization continue to hinder effective communication between healthcare professionals and Sinophone patients. This research investigates the linguistic and intercultural dynamics influencing doctor–patient–mediator interactions in Italian healthcare settings. Combining perspectives from medical linguistics, corpus linguistics, and LCM studies, it aims to identify recurrent communication challenges and the corresponding training needs of mediators. A corpus-based and participatory methodology underpins the empirical investigation of actual mediation practices and the analysis of specialized medical discourse and terminology. The study ultimately seeks to contribute to the development of evidence-based tools and linguistic resources that enhance mediators' professional competence and foster more equitable, culturally responsive healthcare communication.