Translating at Work

A former tech at the clinic I work at is Mexican-American. We had a Cuban immigrant whom she thought she could translate for, although we had told her repeatedly to use the language line to avoid conflict. Due to dialect differences, she had a complaint lobbied against her by the patient and the patient's family because of remarks that they deemed inappropriate. She was terminated because of the complaints. Sad, because other than not taking this advice, she was a great tech

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Due to dialect differences, she had a complaint lobbied against her by the patient and the patient's family because of remarks that they deemed inappropriate

That sounds like the pt had an issue with the tech that had nothing to do with her performance. Sad.

And if I'm not mistaken, I think the same language requirement service caveats apply for hearing impaired pts.

Had a co-worker who was taking AmSLAN training. Very rigorous education also. If I remember, she wanted certification.

3 hours ago, mmc51264 said:

That sounds like the pt had an issue with the tech that had nothing to do with her performance. Sad.

Not necessarily. We have two physicians who are both very fluent in Spanish and go on annual medical missions to Peru. They both learned recently that a phrase they normally use to their Peruvian Spanish-speaking patients without any issues is actually quite vulgar to Mexican Spanish-speaking patients.

13 hours ago, klone said:

Not necessarily. We have two physicians who are both very fluent in Spanish and go on annual medical missions to Peru. They both learned recently that a phrase they normally use to their Peruvian Spanish-speaking patients without any issues is actually quite vulgar to Mexican Spanish-speaking patients.

Exactly what happened in the case of our tech. Verified by another Spanish speaking patient who tried to tell her, and she wouldn't listen to them either. Dialects make the difference

One local hospital also certifies Spanish interpreters level one can only interpret casual conversations. Level two interpreters can interpret for legal documents such as informed consent. Using language line services has its problems. When I was teaching nursing my student use the language line. The patient asked about her Foley catheter and use the word “sonda” (from ureteral sound device), language line interpreter thought the patient was asking about her intravenous catheter and use the word we do not use in Mexican American Spanish. I asked the interpreter if she was Puerto Rican which she was. I have been interpreting for over 42 years as a native Spanish speaker you do have to be careful in using correct medical terminology you need to identify the country of origin for whatever language is being spoken because there are different words used in south western United States Spanish depending on if the patient is Cuban Puerto Rican or from another South American countries such as Guatemala. Yes I am familiar with certain words used in South America to describe gastrointestinal anatomy such as the rectum. The common word used there to Mexican Americans is considered a vulgar term. Culo which means butt or *** in some Spanish speaking countries to Mexican Spanish speakers is a very impolite term.