[Emely Veliz]

After watching the video, I understood that mental retention is a skill that interpreters need to develop with practice, not something that happens automatically. The video presented different ways to improve memory, such as paying close attention to the speaker, creating pictures in the mind, not focusing only on words, connecting information with things we already know, and using notes to keep the message organized. I also learned that practicing backwards can train the brain to remember details in a stronger way. In my opinion, these strategies are very useful because interpreters must remember the meaning of what is being said before transferring it into another language. The video helped me see that good retention is not only about having a good memory, but also about listening with purpose, staying focused, and using techniques that make the information easier to recall accurately.

[Emely Veliz]

Beign an interpreter requires much more than knowing two languages. One of the most important skills is the ability to reain information while listening and processing a conversation. Without good mental retention, it can be difficult to deliver an accurate interpretation.
Several factors can negatively affect a person’s ability to retain information. For example, poor concentration can cause an interpreter to miss important details during an interaction. Anxiety or nervousness may also interfere with memory because the mind becomes focused on the pressure of the situation rather than on the message itself. Another common issue is mental fatigue. After long periods of work or study, the brain may struggle to process and store information effectively. In addition, a noisy environment can make it difficult to hear and remember what is being said.

Good mental retention is essential because interpreters often need to remember complete ideas, instructions, dates, names, and other important details before relaying them into another language. In medical, legal, or educational settings, even a small mistake can create confusion or affect important decisions. For this reason, interpreters must be able to listen carefully and hold information in their memory long enough to communicate it accurately.
Developing strong retention skills also helps interpreters feel more confident during assignments. When interpreters trust their memory, they can focus more on delivering the message naturally instead of worrying about forgetting information. Skills such as note-taking, active listening, and regular practice can help improve memory over time.

In conclusion, mental retention plays a major role in the success of an interpreter. It supports accuracy, confidence, and effective communication, all of which are necessary for providing high-quality interpreting services.

[Emely Veliz]

Medical terminology can be difficult because there are thousands of medical words, and it is impossible to memorize all of them. That is why understanding prefixed and suffixes is very important for medical interpreter. When we know the meaning of these word parts, we can often understand unfamiliar terms without having seen them before.
Patient safety is one of the most important things and understand medical terminology is part of it. If an interpreter misundestand a medical term, the patient may receive incorrect information about diagnosis, treatments or procedures. Understanding common prefixed and suffices helps prevent these errors and supports clear communication.
For example, if an interpreter knowa that suffix – ectomy means surgical removal and the prefix cadio- relates to the heart, it becomes easier to understand many medical terms used during an appoinment. In my opinion, learning prefixes and suffixed is one of the best ways to improve as a medical interpreter.

[Emely Veliz]

In my opinion, present dat legislation is helpful, but I think that it is not enough to guarantee language access for everyone. Laws such as Executive order 13166 are very important because they require organzations that receive refederal funding to provide meaninful access to people with limited englinsh proficiency (LEP). However, having a law and applying it correctly are two different things.
I currently live in Rhode Island, and I think Executive order 13166 is appliedin some areas, especially in hospitals and larger healthcare facilities. Many hospitals provide interpreter services either in person, by phone or through video interpretation. This helps patients understand their medical conditions, treatments, and appointments. As a future medical interpreter, I believe these services are very important because communication can directlt affect a patients health and safety. At the same time I have noticied that not every place provides the same level of language access. Some smaller clinics, offices, or organizations may not always have interpreters available immediately. Sometimes family members are used to interpret, which can create misunderstanding or privacy concerns. This shows that there is still room for improvement.
I believe that more training is needed so that organizations understand their responsabilities under Executive Order 13166. Also there should be stronger monitoring to make sure language access services are available when they are needed. communities of people who speak other languages besides that english continues to grow, therfore language access is becoming more important every year.

[Emely Veliz]

During an encounter a medical interpreter have many roles.The four chief roles of a medical interpreter are conduit, clarifier, cultural broker, and advocate.
The first role is the conduit role. This is the role interpreters use most of the time. The interpreter listens to what the provider says and say it exactly without adding or changing information. For example, if a doctor asks “When did the pain start?” the interpreter should interpret the question exactly and then interpret the patient’s answer the same way.
The second role is the clarifies. A patient may not understand a medical term or a provider may no underwstan something that pt said, the innterpreter can help clarify the message without changing the meaning.
The third tolde is the cultual broker. Cultural differences can sometimes affect communication ( even if they speak the same language), an interpreter may help explain a cultural belief or practice that is important for the provider to understand.
The fourth role is the advocate. This role is not used often, but it may be necessary when the patient’s well-being is at risk.
All roles are important for a medical interpreter to know, but must know when to use each role to provide acurate communication and help patients receive the best possible care.

[Emely Veliz]

A pre-session with myself as an interpreter is important because it allows me to mentally prepare, review relevant medical terminology, and remind myself of my ethical responsibilities, including accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality. It also helps me feel more confident and reduces the possibility of making errors during the interpretation. Challenges such as unfamiliar vocabulary or sensitive topics may arise during an appointment, and a pre-session can help me be better prepared to handle them professionally.A pre-session between the interpreter, the provider, and the patient can help establish expectations and create a smoother communication process. For the provider, a pre-session allows them to communicate important information about the patient’s situation, the goals of the visit, or any sensitive topics that may arise during the encounter. It also gives the interpreter an opportunity to explain how providers can work effectively with an interpreter to ensure clear communication.
When it comes to the patient, a pre-session helps them understand the interpreter’s role as a neutral communication facilitator. This can build trust and encourage them to communicate openly during the appointment.

Many problems can be avoided through a pre-session, such as misunderstandings, confusion about roles, communication barriers, and potential interpretation errors. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the many benefits that a pre-session can provide to everyone involved in the encounter. A pre-session it is not necessaty in every situation, I think it is especially valuable in complex medical appointments, mental health sessions, or discussiones involving difficult dx. Even a brief pre-session can improve communication and help ensure that both the provider and the patient fell comfortable. Good preparation often leads to better outcomes and more efficient interpretation process.

[Emely Veliz]

I believe that the main difference is that interpreters work wit spoker communicacion, while translators work with written communication. For example, if a person who only speaks spanish goes to a hospital and needs to talk to a doctor, an interpreter helps both sides understand each other during the conversation.A translator, on the other hand, would work on a written materials such as medical records, consent forms, ot patient instructions.
One of the biggest challenges for interpreters is that they have to work under pressure. They have to listen, understand, remember, and communicate the message almost immediately. Translators face a different type or challenge because they spend more time working with written texts, making sure that the meaning, tone and details of the original document are preserved in the translated version.
It is important to understand that an interpreter is not a translator, even though both professions require knowledge of two or more languages, the skills are not exactly the same.Someone may be excellent at speaking and interpreting conversations, but struggle with traslating complex written documents (myself)
We have to foment the difference between these two prefessions. Another reason why it is important to understand the difference between interpreters and translators is that each profession requires specific training. An interpreter must be able to think quickly and communicate accurately during conversations, especially in situations such as medical appointments, court hearings, or business meetings. A translator has more time to work, but must pay close attention to grammar, terminology, and cultural meaning. If people do not understand the difference between these professions, they may expect one professional to perform tasks that require a different set of skills. Both interpreters and translators play an important role in helping people communicate, and both deserve recognition for the work they do.

[Emely Veliz]

My name is Emely, and I currently live in Rhode Island. I am originally from Guatemala. I speak Spanish as my first language and English as my second language. Being able to communicate in two languages has allowed me to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and it has also provided me with many opportunities. At the beginning, learning and speaking a second language was definitely a challenge, but it has become easier over time. I believe you never stop learning when it comes to speaking a different language.

I decided to become a medical interpreter because I enjoy helping people communicate effectively. I have noticed how many individuals struggle every day to express themselves when they are not fluent in the language spoken around them, and this is especially common in the medical field. I believe communication is essential in healthcare, education, business, and many other areas of life.

As stated in the first chapter of our textbook, interpreters do more than simply translate word, they help people connect across language and cultural barriers. They also carry a great deal of responsibility, they have to demonstrate accuracy, professionalism, and strong communication skills. I look forward to developing these skills and using them to help others receive the information and support they need.
Becoming a medical interpreter will allow me to help my community and help patients feel more comfortable during medical appts. I want to ensure that lamguage barriers do not prevent people from receiving quality healthcare, and also make sure ther understand important medical information.

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