In this episode of Common Air, Louise Snodgrass is joined by Dr. Tapati Dutta, Chair of the Public Health Department at Fort Lewis College, to talk about her background and current research focused on language, community, and health. Dr. Dutta shares how her work translating the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) began during COVID and led to a deeper realization about the absence of this tool in Tribal languages.
The MSPSS is an essential tool used all of the world to understand the strength of community bonds and social supports. Now, Fort Lewis College students and Dr. Dutta have translated this scale and have conducted community-centered research to make it available in Diné Bizaad.
Dr. Dutta and her team of students are now ready for their next phase of research. This phase includes two Diné-language versions of the MSPSS scale—one translated word-for-word from English and another adapted to include cultural context. Diné speakers who are interested in participating are encouraged to contact Dr. Tapati Dutta to learn more about this important work.
