[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

You explained this well!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

Good explination!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

It is very helpful and useful to understand prefixes and suffixes because they help you figure out what medical terms mean. Even if you haven’t heard a word before, prefixes or suffixes help you better understand what the doctor is talking about. It also helps avoid mistakes when explaining things to patients and makes interpreting smoother and more accurate.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

I didn’t know that either!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

I think the laws we have today, like Executive Order 13166 and Civil Rights Act, are a good start when it comes to helping people who don’t speak English well get equal access to services. Executive order 13166 was signed in 2000 and says that any program or agency that gets federal money has to make sure people with limited English proficiency can understand and use their services. This means offering interpreters, translated documents, and other ways to help people communicate.

Even though the law is clear, I don’t think it’s applied evenly everywhere. Some states and organizations do a great job following it, but others don’t have enough funding or trained staff. I myself have interpreted multiple times for my mother growing up and it definitely would’ve been a little more accurate if it was a licensed interpreter interpreting. In Massachusetts I believe hospitals offer and clinics offer in person or remote interpreting, translate forms. Smaller offices or community programs sometimes can’t provide that same level of help.

Overall I think the legislation is strong, but it needs better enforcement, more funding, and more awareness. The goal should be to make sure everyone can get fair and equal access to important services like healthcare, education, and government help.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

I agree with what you said about Executive Order 14224!

• This reply was modified 1 week ago by Luanna Vieira.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

1. Conduit/Converter
This is the main role of a medical interpreter. It means repeating everything the provider or patient says exactly how it is said without adding, changing, or subtracting anything that was said. The interpreter becomes the “voice” for both sides.
Examples: the interpreter listens carefully to the providers explanation of a treatment plan and accurately interprets every part of it for the patient. Another example is during a medical assessment, the interpreter ensures that all of the patients symptoms and the providers instructions are conveyed exactly as they were expressed, without summarizing or skipping details.

2. Clarifier
The interpreter takes on this role when something isn’t clear or might cause confusion. They make sure both sides fully understand by clarifying medical terms, language use, or context.
Example: the interpreter notices that the patient is nodding but looks confused when the provider is explaining a procedure.The interpreter pauses to confirm understanding before continuing, ensuring the patient truly comprehends what is being discussed.

3. Cultural Broker
In this role, the interpreter helps connect cultural differences that might cause confusion or misunderstanding between the patient and the provider. They provide context or explain certain behaviors, traditions, or beliefs so that both sides can better understand each other.
Example: the interpreter notices that the patient avoids physical touch during the examination and explains that this behavior represents modesty in the patients culture, not discomfort or disrespect.

4. Advocate
This role is used when the interpreter notices something that could affect the patient’s care, safety, or understanding. The interpreter speaks up to make sure the patient’s rights are protected, and that communication stays fair and clear.
Examples: The interpreter sees that the patient looks unsure while filling out medical forms and lets the provider know the patient may need a simpler explanation before signing anything. Another example would be that the interpreter realizes the provider is getting ready to end the appointment, but the patient still seems worried or unsure, and hasn’t had a chance to ask their questions. The interpreter politely points this out to the provider to make sure the patient’s concerns are heard and understood and that everyone is on the same page.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

You did a wonderful job breaking everything down and explaining!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

I love the way how you explained everything so clearly!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

I love how you explained how a pre-session can avoid problems!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

Hi, I completely agree with you, doing a pre-session before the appointment starts can be so beneficial for everyone!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

A few benefits of doing a pre-session with yourself is preparing yourself for what will be talked about in this appointment, and can quickly refresh your mind on what vocabulary you could use during the appointment. Doing a pre-session with the provider will help clarify my neutral role of letting the provider know I will be interpreting everything being said, and that he/she can talk directly to the patient. This is also a time where I am able to ask the provider to take a pause every few sentences so that I can accurately interpret what is being said. I feel that this will also assure the provider that everything is being communicated correctly.
For the patient, the pre-session assures them that everything being said is confidential and that everything they are saying will be communicated effectively and efficiently back to the provider. I can also let them know that I am not allowed to give my own opinion or advice on whatever is being talked about.
Several problems can be avoided through a pre-session, such as preventing misunderstandings about confidentiality, and ethical issues like me as the interpreter being asked my opinion of advice. It can also prevent the provider talking too quickly or not taking enough pauses, and lastly it can prevent the patient feeling unsure of confidentiality.
In some cases like emergency appointments, I may not have time for a pre-session, but it is definitely something all interpreters should do before beginning the appointment as long as it is possible.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

Thank you for the warm welcome! As the child of Brazilian parents, it’s especially inspiring to hear about your journey and connection to Brazil. I’m really looking forward to learning in the next 10 weeks and growing in this field.

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

It is so nice seeing that you are from Brazil! My parents are Brazilian and also live in Plymouth!

[Luanna Vieira Rosa]

The main difference between interpreters and translators is how they work with language. Interpreters deal with spoken or signed language in real time, like during a conversation or a live event, while translators work with written stuff, like documents or books. Because of that, interpreters have to be super quick on their feet. They don’t have time to look things up—they just have to listen, understand, and speak right away, often while picking up on cultural cues in the moment.

Translators, on the other hand, can take their time. They work behind the scenes and get to use tools like dictionaries or online resources to make sure every word is accurate. It’s less about speed and more about precision and making sure the final product reads well.

Each job comes with its own challenges. Interpreters deal with a lot of pressure because they’re helping people communicate instantly, especially in high-stress situations like hospitals or courtrooms. Translators might not have that kind of pressure, but they do need to be super detailed and make sure their writing is spot-on.

Even though both jobs involve switching between languages, the skills, tools, and situations they work in are pretty different. If someone needs help right away in a conversation, they need an interpreter, not a translator.

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