[Leonisa Avelino]

I really liked the way you broke down your strategies and listed the benefits of doing a pre-session. You made some great points about how preparing ahead of time can help avoid awkward or challenging situations. I especially liked how you included the mental preparation—it’s so true that some appointments can be emotionally draining, and being ready makes a big difference.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Hi Yona. I really liked what you wrote about the importance of setting the ground between personal and professional roles during the pre-session. That stood out to me because it’s so true—when you speak the same language as the patient, they can easily become too comfortable and start asking personal questions or trying to have side conversations.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Thank you so much Alexandra for your detailed feedback. I really appreciate the clarification regarding the purpose of the pre-session. I now better understand that it is meant as a brief introduction to establish roles and expectations, rather than an opportunity to gain medical context. Your explanation helped me see the distinction between the pre-session and the interpreter’s role as a cultural broker, and I’ll be more mindful of that moving forward.

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by Leonisa Avelino.

[Leonisa Avelino]

I believe a pre-session between the interpreter, provider, and patient is a very important step in ensuring effective communication in medical settings. This meeting allows the interpreter to clarify expectations, understand the medical context, and establish guidelines for a smooth interaction.

One key benefit of a pre-session is ensuring that all parties understand the interpreter’s role. Medical professionals may not always be familiar with best practices for working with interpreters, so a pre-session helps set expectations, such as speaking directly to the patient rather than the interpreter. Additionally, it allows the interpreter to learn any complex medical terminology that may arise during the session, reducing confusion and improving accuracy.

A pre-session can also help prevent misunderstandings. For example, if a provider is unaware of cultural sensitivities, they may phrase a question in a way that could offend the patient. An interpreter who is familiar with the patient’s cultural background can help the provider navigate these differences. Another scenario that could be avoided is misinterpretation due to lack of context. If an interpreter enters a session without understanding the patient’s medical history or reason for the visit, they may struggle with terminology or miss subtle nuances in meaning.

While a pre-session is beneficial, and highly encouraged, it may not always be necessary. In emergency situations where immediate interpretation is needed, there may not be time for a pre-session. Also, when an interpreter is familiar with a particular department p\or physician a pre-session is not necessary. Another unnecessary case would be when an interpreter has many years of experience working in an office setting.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Joseph, I really appreciate your insight, especially your A-B-C rule—it’s such a great way to stay focused and effective. I hadn’t really thought about the nuances of simultaneous translation in the business world before, so that was really eye-opening. I also loved how you pointed out the difference in neutrality between business translators and interpreters. It’s interesting to see how your experience gives you a unique perspective while also presenting new challenges in adapting to interpreting standards.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Christina, I really like Your point about interpreters working in both directions while translators focus on one direction is so important. I also found it interesting how you mentioned the challenge of keeping up with evolving language and the rise of machine translation—technology is definitely changing the field! You did a great job explaining why each profession has its own unique challenges and demands.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Lesly, I really like how you broke down the key differences between interpreting and translating. You did a great job highlighting the challenges interpreters face, especially the pressure of real-time accuracy and memory retention. I also appreciate how you pointed out the cultural and linguistic nuances that translators have to navigate. Understanding these distinctions is so important, especially in fields like medical and legal settings where precision is critical

[Leonisa Avelino]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I really appreciate this insight, and I wasn’t even fully aware of the depth of this role until now. The example you shared truly highlights the challenge of being an interpreter—not just conveying words but also emotions. This is such an important responsibility, and I look forward to learning more about how to be a true conduit in my work!

[Leonisa Avelino]

Hi Cristina, Your story really resonates with me, as I’ve also spent a lot of time interpreting for my family in important situations. It’s amazing how those early experiences shape our passion for helping others. I admire your dedication to ensuring that patients fully understand their health, especially during difficult times. Your background in dental hygiene combined with your bilingual skills makes you such a valuable resourc

[Leonisa Avelino]

Hi Joseph, Your journey is truly inspiring, and I admire your commitment to using your linguistic skills to help others. Your experience in international business and bilingual forums must provide a unique perspective on communication and interpretation. It’s wonderful that you’re embracing this new challenge with such enthusiasm—your background will surely be a valuable asset in this field.

[Leonisa Avelino]

The biggest difference between a translator and an interpreter is that an Interpreter convey message instantly in a real time situation. Also, another big difference is the memory retention skills that in Interpreter have to learn and navigate through their assignments. A translator has time to think and put the paperwork together. The translator is translating from word to word from a text, book, articles, or other conversation documents.

One of the most challenging situation Interpreter’s faces is memory and concentration. Interpreters need strong recall skills and the ability to focus for extended periods. They must process the information said and interpreter the information accurately and precisely instantly. Especially when it comes to terminology that you are not familiar with, you’re constantly challenging your mind and learning. Another challenge is dialects & accents. Variations in pronunciation and regional slang can make comprehension tricky. In my country Cape Verde, there are 10 islands. Each of those islands the accent is different. Sometimes it could be difficult to understand what they are trying to say. Some phrases or concepts don’t have direct translations, requiring cultural adaptation. Furthermore, Interpreter can face stressful and emotional situation especially in hospitals, courts, or other crisis situations.

A translator also faces many challenges in their daily task. There are cultural differences. some words or phrase don’t have a direct translation. Idioms and slangs are difficult to translate. These expressions you must find equivalent meaning. It is also tricky to preserve the authors tone and humor. Some words have multiple meanings, and without proper context, they can be misinterpreted. Some words have multiple meanings, and without proper context, they can be misinterpreted. Also, you have to focus on sentence structures which may vary between languages, making translation difficult.

I believe it’s very important to understand that an interpreter is not a translator because the expectations, skills, methods, and challenges of each role are different. Interpreters work with spoken language in real-time, while translators work with written text and have more time to refine their work. Interpreters need excellent listening, memory, and speaking skills, while translators require strong reading, writing, and editing abilities.

[Leonisa Avelino]

My name is Leonisa Avelino. My targeted language is Cape Verde Creole. I live in Boston Massachusetts. I migrated from Cape Verde with my parents when I was 11 years old. I live in Boston for most of my life and this is where a huge population of Cape Verde resides. Growing up I always interpreter for my parents who have limited English skills, as they navigate daily life and accessed essential services. Over the Years I have continued to help family members and friends, ensuring they have access to information and opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible due to language barriers. I also worked in a place where I interpreted for a Spanish speaking individual.
My experiences have made me actively aware of the challenges faced by those who do not speak English fluently. Living in a community where many residents struggle with English has further reinforced my desire to pursue a career in interpretation. I Develop a deep appreciation for the power of effective communication and the vital role interpreters play in facilitating understanding.
Becoming an interpreter is not merely a career choice for me, it is a commitment to serve as an advocate for clear communication and cross-cultural understanding. I am driven by the belief that every person deserves to have their voice heard and to understand the world around them. I am eager to leverage my skills in Cape Verdean Creole and English to help bridge the language gap and make a positive impact in my community. This passion continues to drive my interpreter journey.

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