[Judy Guarin]

I agree with you Brian, the video was very helpful!

[Judy Guarin]

I totally agree with you, I like how you listed everything.

[Judy Guarin]

Some of the techniques to good mental retention from the video are; Vocabulary techniques, using images, visualization, association, backwards drill, note taking.

The video was great, very helpful and instructive. I just wish the writing on the monitor was more legible. I couldn’t see most of it.

[Judy Guarin]

Hello Alejandra, You are absolutely correct, Memory is the foundation that supports accuracy, very well said.

[Judy Guarin]

Hi Brian, I totally agree with you, In order to be great interpreters we must have good mental retention.

[Judy Guarin]

Good mental retention means being able to remember what we hear and repeat it correctly. For interpreters, this skill is super important because we have to listen, understand, and then say the same message in another language almost right away. There are a few things that can inhibit good mental health. One of the biggest one is stress. When we’re nervous or under pressure, our brain can freeze, and it’s easy to forget what was just said. Tiredness also affects memory, this is why getting enough sleep and rest it’s very important. Interpreting takes a lot of focus, and when we don’t get enough rest or sleep, it’s harder to keep information in our minds. Another issue is distractions, like background noise, people talking, or even our own thoughts. If we lose focus for just a second, we might miss an important detail. Most importantly good mental retention is extremely important for interpreters because our main job is to be accurate and complete. We can’t add or leave out information, so remembering what the speaker says is everything. To keep our memory strong, we can practice active listening, take breaks, rest well, and most importantly, eat a healthy balanced diet, full of vegetables, protein, nuts and dark chocolate. Keeping your brain active is also key for a good mental health. Staying calm during interpreting sessions is also very important, the more relaxed and prepared we are, the better our memory will work.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 6 days ago by Judy Guarin.

[Judy Guarin]

Yes absolutely, Very well explained!

[Judy Guarin]

awesome! Great explanation

[Judy Guarin]

As a medical interpreter, I think it’s really helpful to know the prefixes and suffixes in medical terminology because it makes our job a lot easier and more accurate. Sometimes Dr’s use words we might not hear every day, or are familiar with, but if we understand the parts of the words, we can figure out what they mean. For example, if we know that neuro refers to nerves and logy means the study of something, then neurology makes total sense even if it’s a new term. It also helps us avoid mistakes during an interpretation. Misunderstanding even one word can change the meaning of what the Dr. is saying, which could confuse the Patient.

[Judy Guarin]

I believe that present-day legislation has made progress in protecting the rights of people with limited English proficiency (LEP). However; there is still a lot of improvement needed. Executive Order 13166, signed in 2000 by President Bill Clinton, requires any organization receiving federal funding to provide free beneficial bilingual assistance to individuals who do not speak English well. This includes hospitals, schools, and public agencies. The goal is to make sure language is not a barrier when receiving services such as healthcare, education, or legal assistance.
In my state (RI), I do see Executive Order 13166 being applied, especially in healthcare settings as well as public schools. Many hospitals and schools offer interpreting services, bilingual staff, and translated documents for patients, students, and parents. For example, when patients/parents need to fill out or sign consent forms, they can request a qualified interpreter at no cost. This shows that the law is being enforced. However, not all organizations go along with it fully. Some smaller clinics or offices still rely on family members or untrained staff to interpret, which can lead to misunderstandings and even serious errors.
Overall, the existing legislation is helpful, but not enough. Language access is a civil right, and yet many individuals continue to face barriers because of lack of funding, awareness, or enforcement. To truly meet the spirit of Executive Order 13166, more consistent monitoring, training, and accountability are needed across all federally funded programs. Ensuring equal access for everyone, regardless of language, should remain a national priority.

[Judy Guarin]

I agree 100% with you, They need to be more aware of how important these services are for the people who do not speak English well or at all.

[Judy Guarin]

Yes I totally agree with you on how unfortunate and unfair, executive order #14224 is.

[Judy Guarin]

1) Message conveyor, is the one Interpreters use most often. In this role, Interpreters repeat everything that’s said, keeping the same tone and meaning without adding or leaving anything out. For example, if a Provider says, “You need to come back in two weeks,” the interpreter says that exactly as heard without changing the message.

2) Message Clarifier, Sometimes the Provider uses medical terms that the Patient doesn’t understand, or maybe the message just isn’t clear. In that case the interpreter can ask for clarification. For example, if the Provider says “You’re pre-diabetic,” and the Patient looks confused, the Interpreter can ask the Provider to rephrase or explain what that means in simpler language to make sure the Patient really understands what’s being said.

3) Cultural Broker, is when cultural differences affect communication. For example, if a Patient avoids eye contact, the Provider might think they’re being rude or hiding something, when in reality, in that culture, it’s a sign of respect or humbleness. In this case the Interpreter can explain that to help both sides understand each other better.

4) Advocate, it’s only used when it is really necessary to help the Patient if their safety or rights are at risk. For example, if a hospital refuses to provide an Interpreter for a Patient, the Interpreter might need to advocate to make sure the Patient gets the help they’re legally entitled to.

Overall, these four roles are all about building trust and keeping communication accurate and respectful with all.

[Judy Guarin]

Hello Dayane, Excellent Explanation and very well broken down.

[Judy Guarin]

Hello Brian, Great Job braking it down and thank you for the pages information.

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