Bulgaria

Background

• • Official Name: Republic of Bulgaria

Република България: ‘Republika Bǎlgarija'

Languages/Ethnic Groups

• • Bulgarian (official) 76.8%

  • Turkish 8.2%

  • Roma 3.8%

Learn more about Bulgaria

Culture

Similarities and differences between American and Bulgarian Cultural Values: The following cultural value differences can influence social, pragmatic, and professional relationships within the clinical and academic setting.

Individualism & Collectivism

• Bulgaria has been deeply rooted in traditional collectivist values, in which individuals born into collectivist societies [e.g. Bulgaria] are integrated into strong social groups from birth onwards and continue to protect members of these groups in exchange for unquestioning loyalty (Cigularov, 2008; Hofstede 2001).

• Bulgaria’s deep collectivist roots stem from influences of monarchical and totalitarian systems, in which Bulgarian society was dominated by authoritarian oppression (Ottoman and communist rules) and the Eastern Orthodox Church that valued collectivism rather than Protestant individualism (Cigularov, 2008).

• For nearly half a century, Bulgaria was submitted to ideological pressures, propagating the principles of collectivism (Topalova, 1997).

• Despite deep roots associated with collectivist values, Bulgaria has started to experience a noticeable shift to individualism, especially among young urban Bulgarians (Cigularov, 2008; Topalova, 1997).

• This change to individualism is attributed to globalization, the inclusion of Bulgaria into the European Union, Bulgaria’s transition to a market economy, relative increases in income, and more traveling and educational opportunities abroad (Cigularov, 2008).

• Individualized Education Plan Meetings: There is no Individualized plan for a child in Bulgaria, Bulgarian students are educated as a group and individuals are only referred to help them perform similar to their peers.

High/Low Power Distance

• Members of Bulgarian society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally and is considered normal (Cigularov, 2008; Hofstede, 2001).

• Bulgarian culture is known to be very hierarchical, in which people in Bulgarian society adhere to established social norms and rules regarding behavior (Cigularov, 2008).

• In the context of educational and learning practices in Bulgaria, “students’ initiatives and speaking up in class are discouraged; students are given little or no choice on deciding on courses, times, and teachers; the focus is on learning how to do things; the diploma is viewed as an end, which provides access to higher-status groups; and students expect structured learning situations” (Cigularov, 2008, p. 43).

• High power distance is also reflected in parent-child relationships, in which initiation and independence is discouraged among children in Bulgaria; children are taught to listen and obey, and important decisions are made by the parents (Cigularov, 2008).

• Similar to values associated with collectivism, high power distance is more closely associated with older generations, people who are less educated, and is more prevalent among rural towns and villages (Davidkov, 2004).

• Implications for Clinician-caregiver Interactions: High-power distance traditions reflect a strong need to preserve face especially when interacting with authority.

• Caregivers/parents less likely to contribute opinions

• Possible fear of judgment of parental value system

• Grandparents may be one of the primary caregivers of children, be sure to inquire if they are available to attend IELP or early intervention meetings.

High/Low Uncertainty Avoidance

• Bulgaria has and continues to be characterized by High Uncertainty Avoidance. This may have been further solidified with the monolithic, and homogenisation apart of the enforced collectivism evident in the transition to a communist state (Crampton, 2005).

• In addition, the lack of entrepreneurial opportunities in Bulgaria currently further enforces an avoidance of drastic career change or development.

• However, the growing opportunity for international employment, partially due to endeavors created by the European Union has created a draw for newer generations to seek unknown horizons.

Masculinity/Femininity

• Cultures that are identified to be more masculine, are also considered to be cultures that identify with values associated with individualism, low power distance, and low uncertainty avoidance (Cigularov, 2008).

• In contrast, Bulgaria’s cultural identity is relatively feminine, as it highly correlates with values associated with collectivism, high power distance, and high uncertainty avoidance.

• Due to communist influences that promoted collectivism, Bulgarians inherited values that contrast with masculine cultures, in which being independent, assertive, decisive, competitive, and initiative were discouraged (Cigularov, 2008).

• As a result of “the five decades of communist regime, which explicitly discouraged mutual competition and individual initiative, guaranteed everyone employment and pension, deemphasized productivity and quality, and promoted fear of failure, aversion to risk, and passivity”; (Cigularov, 2008, p. 39).

• However, in contrast to feminine values, traditionally Bulgaria had a relatively large “gender gap”, in which the men held most of the positions of power and women were expected to tend to household duties.

• Post-Communism, there has been a dramatic shift in gender roles and currently, women participate equally in society as men in different educational, political, and economic opportunities.

Long/Short Term Orientation

• Short-term orientation was the only cultural dimension that Bulgaria was similar to the U.S. and other western countries (Cigularov, 2008; Genov, 2004).

• Both the U.S. and Bulgaria value short-term orientation, in which both cultures are more concerned with events in the past and present, value short-term results, fulfilling social obligations, and tend to focus on short-term goals (Cigularov, 2008; Hofstede, 2001).

• Reportedly, only 13% of Bulgarians were more concerned with the future and made long-term goals (Cigularov, 2008; Genov 2004), indicating that a majority of Bulgarians value time orientation to be associated more with the past and present.

Person/Nature Orientation

• Bulgaria’s values hold steadfast to a “person over nature” approach to development and research.

• Bulgaria has a strong people over nature attitude with regard to collective productivity and scientific research and medicine.

• Diplomatic relations with Russia has shown a strong desire for altering nature in order for the better good of the Bulgarian people. For example, agreements to build the pipeline supplying Bulgaria with gas is representative of a person over nature approach to survival.

Past/Present/Future Orientation

• Bulgaria’s current and historical approach to political and social reforms have been and continue to be past oriented.

• “Short term orientation...refers to fostering of virtues toward and past and present such as respect for tradition, preservation of “face,” and fulfilling social obligations.” (Cigularov, 2008, pp. 20)

• Bulgaria’s fostering of virtues of the past is represented by events in history such as Liudmila Zhikova’s public revival of historically Bulgarian celebrations and accomplishments.

• When asked about orientation, Asya Eneva said that she believed that Bulgaria continues to be a past-oriented culture (Eneva, 2015).

Activity Orientation

• Bulgarian’s Being Orientation is evident in their value of taking the time to socialize with friends and family for extended periods of time.

• The Bulgarian “Na ghosti” or “visit with guests”, is when you are invited into a friend’s home.

• Like most social gatherings, a na ghosti has no time frame, and often consists of friends or family talking and socializing until late into the evening, enjoying the host’s luxuries such as the best seat in the house, food, drink.

• Similarly, social activities such as having coffee or drinking the traditional liquor, Rakia, also do not have a time frame and the enjoyment of the company of others is highlighted over strict time obligations.

High/Low Context

• Bulgaria is described to identify more with a medium-high context culture.

• Some Bulgarians style of communication is characterized to be very direct, precise, and clear.

• Majority of Bulgarians identify more with a medium- high context culture, in which the social circumstances of verbal communication are given more attention.

• Bulgarian culture is more reliant on nonverbal communication

• In Bulgarian culture, the relationship with the recipient and the conditions in which the interaction takes place, is more valued than the actual verbal content of the message being communicated.

Face & Facework

• Bulgarian culture is often more focused on presentation and preservation of a collective people as being one.

• Attributes that may differentiate a person from their peers are avoided.

Subcultures and Identities

• Bulgarian-Roma subculture

• Bulgarian-Turkish subculture

Speech-Language Pathology in Bulgaria (Логопедия: “Logopediya”)

For a better understand of what Bulgarians coming from Bulgaria likely understand about Speech-Language Pathology the following was comprised from a Bulgarian teacher in Yambol, Bulgaria as well as a American-Bulgarian Peace Corps volunteer who helped integrate children with special needs into Bulgarian classrooms (A. Eneva, personal communication, January 31, 2015; S. Cohen, personal communication, January 31, 2015).

Pediatric

• Most large cities have one Speech Pathologist for their county, who serves school-aged populations

• Students who have SLP serves are referred to the county SLP, teachers are not often involved in intervention or further communication with SLP.

• Parents may not be asked to be involved in intervention in Bulgaria, so this may be new to some Bulgarian-American families.

• Early-intervention is not a common practice in Bulgaria since children begin first grade at 7 years old and kindergarten at 6 years old. Parents may not be accustomed to EI, and may need to explained.

Children with Special Needs & Disabilities

• Integration of children with special needs into mainstream classrooms is a recent endeavor in Bulgaria.

• Bulgarian schools have a “Resource Specialist” who works with these children.

• Usually resources for children with special needs in Bulgaria are found outside of the school in “Centers for Social Support” or “Day Centers for Children with Special Needs” so parents may not be aware of the resources available to them at their local school in America.

• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) do not exist in Bulgaria, children are referred for services so that they can perform as well as their peers. Adhering to a collectivist ideology, the concept of “normalcy” is highly valued, all deviations from “typical” development are treated separately.

Adult & Aging Speech/Language Disorders

• SLP treatment of adults and aging populations is also very new in Bulgaria.

• Bulgarian-American caregivers may not understand why an SLP is involved since they have a different title when in the Bulgarian medical system.

• SLPs do not usually treat swallowing disorders in Bulgaria

• Caring for elders is commonly considered a family matter, as elders often receive the highest respect in Bulgaria.

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (“Dysphagia”: “Дисфагия”:”Disfagi’ya”)

• While disorders of deglutition are diagnosed and treated with diet modification strategies in Bulgarian, it is evident that Speech-Language Pathologists are not usually involved.

• Dysphagia and other feeding and swallowing disorders are likely managed by other medical staff .