[Art Liebl]

Great understanding of Executive order 13166! Here in Massachusetts we also have additional laws that protect immigrant populations by providing of interpreters services. The state itself spends millions of dollars on interpreting and translation services to help immigrants.

[Art Liebl]

Exactly! Great post. Yes, accuracy without omission, addition or distortion is crucial to our job. I believe you have a good understanding of what you read from your manual.

[Art Liebl]

Great post Johanna! Yes, a pre-session is very useful as it sets the ground rules for the patient in particular. It also can save you from ethical dilemmas and issues. For instance if you don’t tell the patient that everything must be interpreted they could end up telling you something and then ask you not to say anything to the doctor. Great post

[Art Liebl]

Thanks Johana! We all struggle at the beginning…that is why we need to keep pushing, studying and gaining knowledge!

[Art Liebl]

Hi Johana! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 🙂

[Art Liebl]

Hi Johana! Great answer to the question! You are correct. Interpreters and translators are two completely different things.. I think you got the point. As you stated, an interpreter “needs to think quickly and accurately.” According to the manual, “an interpreter also is one who explains the meaning of – an interpreter is one who presents something spoken in understandable terms.” Of course, this does not mean we can adulterate the original message by adding or omitting to the original message. Another point to consider – interpreters need to convey not only the spoken message but also the feelings and emotions behind the words. This is a challenge – let’s demonstrate it in this way: I am sure you have all been to the doctors…Imagine you are with a physician and a “Mrs. Perez.” The doctor asks the patient how she is as he continues typing on his computer. With tears in her eyes, the patient responds, “I’m fine” (Estoy bien). You, as the interpreter need to give the physician the whole and complete picture of what was said. You need to convey, not just the content “I am fine”, but more importantly transmit the emotions behind the spoken words…THAT IS A CHALLENGE! We are not cold translators…we are indeed interpreters who “explain the meaning”! Never forget this!

Question for the class: how would you give the words, “I’m fine” the emotional color necessary to impart to the provider the way it was said? This expression, “I’m fine” can be said in a wide array of manners…from happy to sleepy, to sad, to sarcastic… How do we deal with these varying feelings and emotions in the way we interpret them?

[Art Liebl]

Hi Johana!

It is great to have you here. That is wonderful you already work in the hospital and no doubt are familiar with working in one. I admire your goal as to helping people and I can already see your passion.

I started interpreting and translating when I moved to Brazil in 1995 working in the graphics arts field/business field. I grew to have such a passion for communication that when I came back to the USA I stopped my work as a graphic arts technician (working on huge rotary presses) and moved into the translation and interpreting field. I achieved my medical interpreter certificate back in 2002. To be honest I was not very good at medical interpreting as I had a lot of unclear ideas as to anatomy and current medical science. But, with perseverance I can honestly say that I have learned tons and today feel comfortable in any and all medical setting. You will no doubt pass through the same experience, so, be patient with yourself; you are at the start of a marvelous career!

Good studies to you!

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