Translation vs. Interpretation

Aruna Rao-McCann, MS, CRC, CCM

Hola! Namaste! Howdy!

Habla Ingles? Sprichst du Englisch? Do you speak English?

Many of us who have traveled the world or are from another country understand the nuances of not being able to communicate in our own language with a physician, a physical and occupational therapist, Uber driver, or shopkeeper.

As an immigrant from India, I had the privilege of speaking and communicating in English, both written and oral. However, I learned Spanish on my own and it has been very useful in my role as a nurse case manager in assisting injured workers who only speak Spanish.

That being said, I believe in a patient’s right to have a private, physical examination with the physician at any given time. When this is done, I ensure that I have a certified interpreter present at the appointment who communicates on behalf of the patient. They also accurately relay and clarify what the physician recommends for them. The physician also has the assistance they need in correctly understanding the patient’s symptoms and concerns in order to confirm a correct diagnosis and identify a treatment plan.

The importance of sending a certified interpreter is important on multiple levels. They need to:

• Speak English

• Speak the language they are interpreting fluently

• Understand medical terminology

• Have the ability & confidence to ask the treating providers if they don’t understand any term

Here’s the crucial difference between an interpreter and a translator:

An interpreter merely interprets oral language and does not make notes of what transpired during the visit because their job is not to be subjective, rather it is to interpret for the moment at the appointment or when an interaction is taking place. Please do not ask agencies to have their interpreters send you a written report of what transpired as that is illegal.

Additionally, the interpreter’s job is completed once they have helped out the person and others in communication and should leave after the appointment is done. They should not stay back and engage in social bantering, exchange of phone numbers, or render advice on the case.

A translator translates written documents from one language to another language. I know it is catchy to say, “We need Transportation & Translation,” or “T&T.” However, please be mindful of what you are requesting at any given time to help people who do not speak English as a first language or at all.

Multiple agencies provide certified interpreters, both medical and legal and I am happy to make recommendations and share information.