Medical interpretation

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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Things many Medical interpreters do that are not in the job description

Often, I hear complaints about good interpreters because they rigidly stick to their job description. This blog might get me in trouble with some of my colleagues, but I think it is worth a discussion. Completing medical forms There have been times that I have been told that a certain interpreter refused to help fill

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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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Pain in The Neck Continuing Education

This year, I received a reminder that if I don’t obtain my continuing education credits, my healthcare interpreter certification will expire! This would mean that in order to re-certify, I would have to start over by taking a 40-hour language course, followed by a written test that if I pass, will allow me to take

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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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6 Considerations when Choosing a Medical Interpreter

(1)The Setting: The setting is important in choosing the interpreter. Some interpreters are perfectly comfortable working at a doctor’s office and completely uncomfortable with accompanying a home health nurse in a private home. Ethically, professional interpreters should be honest in revealing if they don’t qualify for a specific assignment. For example, a highly qualified healthcare

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