Healthcare interpreting

Medical Interpreter Accuracy

What exactly is accuracy when interpreting? This might seem like an obvious question, but it is more complicated than you realize.  Why do I say that? The challenge of identifying a competent interpreter For individuals that speak one language, trying to determine an interpreter’s accuracy is a great challenge. The best approach is to hire […]

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What time is on Time?

Arriving on time is a very big deal! As much as we try to stand out for our as quality, ethical and knowledgeable professionals, some insurance companies will still see our service as a commodity. Some are more likely to use our service because of our reputation for dependable, on-time service. In fact, recently a

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My bad note taking experience

Healthcare interpreters are encouraged to become proficient at note taking. I have found note taking especially useful when I must remember dates and numbers. For this reason, I have been studying on how to take better and faster notes. I plan to even take a class on the subject at some point soon. I have

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Time is a Challenge to Interpreters

As an interpreter, I find myself jealous of translators. They have one benefit the interpreter cannot have. The translator can read and re-read a text in question. They review the context, research terminology, and choose the precise wording. Although it is true that an interpreter can seek clarification from the source, they don’t have the

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Medical Interpreters need to hear

I know this seems obvious, but an interpreter must understand what is being said if he is to transmit the information. With that in mind, here are some issues I have run into making that task more difficult. Mumbling: Some people tend to speak in a quit voice or mumble. Although I try very hard

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Interpreting Humor and Slang

My dad used to always say, “Mind over matter, when your mind’s made up, nothing else matters!” Imagine trying to interpret that! In this case, matter in English has a double meaning. Mind over matter, (the substance of which a physical object is composed) When your mind is made up, nothing else matters! (A subject

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When Ethics and Common Sense Collide in Medical Interpreting

It never fails that at least one session at the American Translators Association annual convention results in a very entertaining, lively debate over interpreter ethics. Entertaining for me, not at all for those involved in the debate. Especially if it disrupts the presentation and the speaker is being attacked. For me, the debate typically falls

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How to Work with a Medical Interpreter

Although there are two national certification procedures for medical and healthcare interpreters, South Carolina does not have a regulation requiring their use. This results in many untrained bilingual people working as interpreters. Because they have not been properly educated or trained as healthcare interpreters, they often do things that professional interpreters would never do. This

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When Good People Are Unethical: ADVOCACY

Imagine this.  Instead of hiring a professional interpreter who is familiar with and cognizant of the code of ethics, an untrained bilingual person is hired to simply cover the assignment.   Without proper knowledge and training, the bilingual person serving as an “interpreter” will most likely unconsciously commit serious ethical violations while at the same

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When Good People Are Unethical: Cultural Awareness

Imagine this.  Instead of hiring a professional interpreter who is familiar with and cognizant of the code of ethics, an untrained bilingual person is hired to simply cover the assignment.   Without proper knowledge and training, the bilingual person serving as an “interpreter” will most likely unconsciously commit serious ethical violations while at the same

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