Interpreter/Translator

[Sweet_Tears]

How many people do you think are qualified as interpreter? My family has been in/out of the hospital a few times and what I've learned and witnessed is that a lot of the these people are not really good at interpreting. I'm not saying that I am good but I would think that becoming a interpreter would required training/knowledge/experiences. While I was waiting patiently for the interpreter to do her job, she was not making sense at all which even caused more confusion for my mom. The Doctor asked her something and she would say something else. I had no choice but to step in and do my own interpreting so that my mom can understand.

My main concern is that "How do you trust that someone will interpret it correctly to your family member if you're not there". What if someone interpreted some wording incorrectly that can cause harm to your family member?

NOTE: This is not to hate/descriminate those that interpret as a profession. I'm just stating my own personal experiences and what i've witnessed. It does not mean that they are all the same.

[Honey]

Interpreting/translating is rather difficult. I think what people don't understand is that just because you know how to speak Hmong or speak English does not mean you are qualified to interpret. Interpreting is still a skill that only some people have. Just like not everyone has great verbal skills and communication, despite them knowing the same information or speaking the same language. I have seen people who spoke both English and Hmong fluently, interpret horribly. Usually, there is not much training when it comes to interpreting. You can almost sign up with any company and they will send you out on jobs. Depending on what it is you are interpreting for, there will be different levels of requirements. I know that court interpreters have to be certified. And getting that certification is very difficult. From my understanding, only a handful has their certification, despite the 200+ interpreters in the legal field. And those who are not certified may interpret for minor things, such as recorded statements or mediation...et c, but not in court.

[sunsets]

I can't speak for other states, but where I live--feem coob tsis qualify ua lawv txoj haujlwm. I think that for one, hospital's need to do a better job at finding a qualified interpreter. One who has had extensive training in regards to the field that he/she is to interpret/translate. Especially in the area of translating for hospitals or anything that has to do with the medical field.

Muaj ib zaug, kuv tau nrog ib tus Niam Laus mus pes lus rau nws Niam tim hospital but rather mus pes lus kuv cia lawv nrhiav cov uas lawv yeej txhob txwm ntiav los ua txoj haujlwm uas yog pes lus rau cov neeg uas tsis paub lus meskas. And here comes, a man in his 50's. Hais lus meskas yeej okay thiab tiamsis nws pes tsis raws li tus doctor li. I was literally, smh. So, I had to intervene when he had said something that was totally off topic. That showed me that there aren't many qualified interpreters. Had I not intervened, there could have been a negative outcome because we were dealing with surgery here.

Maybe they thought this guy was qualified because he was head of Hmong Community?

[HmongKnight]

I was an interpreter for hospital and clinics 3 years in MN. What I've seen and witnesses was that most of the interpreters translated their words in 3rd person. A good and true interpreter will translate in first person word per word.

[sunsets]

I was an interpreter for hospital and clinics 3 years in MN. What I've seen and witnesses was that most of the interpreters translated their words in 3rd person. A good and true interpreter will translate in first person word per word.

Hmongknight, do you have proper training? 

[Sweet_Tears]

These meeka people at the hospital do not know how to speak hmong so therefore they can't tell if the interpretor is saying it correctly or not. All they know is that it's being said to the patient. Honestly, if half of these conversations was recorded.. I think some of these people might not have a job interepreting in the medical environment.

[JustMe2]

I was an interpreter for hospital and clinics 3 years in MN. What I've seen and witnesses was that most of the interpreters translated their words in 3rd person. A good and true interpreter will translate in first person word per word.

if they had any kind of training, they would already know to use first person

[Sweet_Tears]

I was an interpreter for hospital and clinics 3 years in MN. What I've seen and witnesses was that most of the interpreters translated their words in 3rd person. A good and true interpreter will translate in first person word per word.

But that's what you're suppose to. Even I knew that and I am not a interpreter. You are suppose to speak as if you are the one directing the question to the patient and in return as well.

[JustMe2]

These meeka people at the hospital do not know how to speak hmong so therefore they can't tell if the interpretor is saying it correctly or not. All they know is that it's being said to the patient. Honestly, if half of these conversations was recorded.. I think some of these people might not have a job interepreting in the medical environment.

so did you file a complaint? more than likely...no.  that's the problem right now....no one wants to be the person reporting another because peb yog hmong

[Sweet_Tears]

so did you file a complaint? more than likely...no.  that's the problem right now....no one wants to be the person reporting another because peb yog hmong

I know.. that was the same exact discussion that I had with my sisters when they came to the hospital. They also told me of similiar situation where they had to intervene because it was not correct.

[tetrapod]

Medical translation is difficult.   Hmong do not have most of the terminologies.

[Sweet_Tears]

Medical translation is difficult.   Hmong do not have most of the terminologies.

Sweetie, I'm sure they do have the word "Surgery"? Right?? Isn't it called "Piav". Hope I spell it right.

Reporter's correction: Phais/Phais Cev.

[HmongKnight]

But that's what you're suppose to. Even I knew that and I am not a interpreter. You are suppose to speak as if you are the one directing the question to the patient and in return as well.

but 75% of the time they interpreted in 3rd person.. for example; he says or she says and etc etc...

[JustMe2]

nothing is going to change if no one is willing to step up and report it.  the organization whatever entity they may be will still be under the impression that they are receiving great interpretation services.

[Sweet_Tears]

nothing is going to change if no one is willing to step up and report it.  the organization whatever entity they may be will still be under the impression that they are receiving great interpretation services.

That is very true and realistic.