I understand your point on not trying to be rude and assume someone needs a higher or lower register. So what you are saying, is that we stick to what the provider says word for word, so if I say, "you have glaucoma", instead of high pressure in the eye ( which the patient would understand better), then we will just see how they react to a higher register word? If so, then we can advocate for them and perhaps ask: This is the interpreter speaking, it may appear like the patient may not have understood what glaucoma is, would you like to explain? " Because, me being a beginner, I may not find right away another way to say glaucoma for the patient to understand, or vice versa.

@connectingcultureshealthca7042

4 жыл бұрын

Hello Fatima! These are great questions and I appreciate you reaching out to have a discussion :). A few points come to mind here. As interpreters it is important that we are the voice of the doctor as much as we are the voice of the patient because both are equally important. If the provider says “you have glaucoma” then it is pertinent that you say the equivalent in the patient’s language. For all you know there may be a history of glaucoma in the patient’s family and so they are familiar with it. You really don’t know what the patient will understand better because you’re only with them for the 45 minutes of the appointment. As a patient who doesn’t understand they might very well say, “what is glaucoma?” After which the doctor can explain what it is. Doctors are accustomed to clarifying things to their patients in English so they’ll be very comfortable doing the same when an interpreter is present, too. They pick up on body language and facial expressions as much as they do the responses they’re given. Another thing to consider when one interpreter chooses to lower register on their own is what happens when the next interpreter comes in and stays true to message at the next appointment? Now, instead of the patient learning what glaucoma is, they are left wondering what the doctor is referring to, and the doctor is wondering why the patient doesn’t understand when it was discussed at the previous appointment. The interpreter that lowered the register on their own has done a huge disservice to the patient, provider, and their interpreter colleague. All of that being said, if you are new to interpreting and you don’t know how to say glaucoma, you have the ability to ask for clarification. “I’m so sorry doctor but I don’t know how to say glaucoma. Can you describe it so I can communicate it to the patient?” This is allowed so the communication flow isn’t disrupted when you then say to the patient “I’m sorry but I don’t know the word in (patient’s language) but (insert doctors explanation here).” Clarifying doesn’t mean your job stops there. Now the interpreter needs to go back and learn the word “glaucoma” so that they can interpret that word in the future without the need for clarification. An interpreter’s job is to stay true to message. If they do that, all will work out in the end. Everyone will understand the content of the message, a relationship will be strengthened between the provider and their patient and the interpreter will set their colleagues up for success whenever they encounter that patient and provider in future appointments. Fatima, I hope my $0.02 worth is helpful to you. If you’d like to talk further please feel free to reach out to me and we can set up a call. Wishing you a very happy weekend and thanks for watching! ~Rashelle

@tima1443

4 жыл бұрын

@@connectingcultureshealthca7042 Oh that clarified it for me, thank you I see how this makes sense now. I do agree with what you are saying, "let adults be adults", they have to pick up the tone or inflections the patient has when not understanding something. I just thought that maybe the provider may not pick it up, in case the patient seems to be too shy or embarrassed to ask for clarification, and so I thought I could step in there. But other than that, thank you!

So interesting. I'm mexican and I'm trying to find useful videos to learn more about the world of interpreting.

What an awesome video!!! Thank you!!!

How on earth could you determine someone's IQ without a psychologist administering a test. You would be making huge, inappropriate assumptions.

@connectingcultureshealthca7042

5 жыл бұрын

Charlotte Ottinger Thanks! I totally agree! Wishing you a very happy Wednesday 🙂