[Leidy Granados]

As an interpreter, I would not simply repeat the words “I’m fine” in a neutral tone. Instead, I would reflect the emotional weight behind the patient’s voice. If Mrs. Perez says “Estoy bien” in a sad, low voice with tears in her eyes, I would interpret it into English using a soft and shaky tone to mirror her emotional state. For example, I might say quietly, “I’m fine…” while slightly lowering my voice to convey hesitation and sadness.
I would also like to understand in what cases it is appropriate to move away from an exact translation if I feel that the best way to convey an emotion is to slightly change the wording. Based on the example above, what if changing my tone when saying “I’m fine” is not enough to convey the patient’s emotion? If I decided to say, “I feel okay,” would that communicate the patient’s emotional state more effectively?

[Leidy Granados]

Hi Art,

Thanks! I took a few English courses back when I was in college, but what helped the most was moving to the USA and being immersed in the language/culture.

[Leidy Granados]

After carefully reading the first chapter of the manual, I have developed a clearer understanding of the major differences between an interpreter and a translator. Being an interpreter goes beyond simply translating spoken words from one language to another; it involves understanding tone, nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions, and the patient’s or speaker’s cultural background. Interpreting requires conveying a message with all the possible meanings it may carry and ensuring that it is accurate within the specific situation in which it is presented. In many cases, especially in healthcare settings, interpreters must process information quickly and respond in real time, which can be mentally demanding and require strong listening and communication skills.
On the other hand, being a translator involves working with written text and focusing more on the literal and grammatical accuracy of the message. Translators typically have more time to analyze vocabulary, sentence structure, and terminology, ensuring that the written content reflects the original meaning as closely as possible. However, they may not always be able to understand the deeper meaning of the message beyond the exact words if the cultural or situational context is not provided. One way to understand this difference is to think of a translator as similar to a translation app: it can provide the direct meaning of words, but in many situations, it may not fully capture the intended context or emotional tone behind the message.
Both roles come with unique challenges. Interpreters must manage pressure, maintain neutrality, and convey meaning accurately and instantly, while translators must ensure precision in grammar, terminology, and written style. Understanding that an interpreter is not a translator is important because each role requires different skills and training. Recognizing these distinctions helps ensure effective and accurate communication across languages.

[Leidy Granados]

Hi everyone, my name is Leidy Granados. I am originally from Colombia and have been living in Boston, MA, for the past 4 years. I currently live in Jamaica Plain. My native language is Spanish, but I have always loved English, which is why I moved to the USA to improve my English skills. I earned an ESL teaching certificate, in which I had the opportunity to teach young/adult non-English speakers for six months, and it was a very rewarding experience. Now, I have decided to start this interpreting program because I want to broaden my knowledge in the medical field and would love to help LEP people communicate more effectively and express their medical needs when they are sick. I have been in their shoes, and now that I have a more advanced English level, I want to help Spanish speakers not feel alone on this journey of living in a foreign country without being able to communicate. I am very excited to learn more about this world of medical interpreting and look forward to connecting with you all!

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