Language Translation Development

Language Translation - Categories of medical interpreters: Dedicated staff interpreters

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:33:59 -0500

Some hospitals or health care plans employ “dedicated staff interpreters,” whose sole function is to provide language interpretation services.

In the second of our series of posts about different categories of medical interpreters, we will examine the role of “dedicated staff interpreters.”

Dedicated staff interpreters are employed as full-time or part-time interpreters for a hospital, health care facility, or health care plan. In areas where a high percentage of LEP (Limited English Proficiency) patients speak the same foreign language, this is easily the most desirable solution. It can be difficult and costly, however, to provide dedicated staff interpreters for dozens of languages.

Dedicated staff interpreters are generally trained language professionals and should provide accurate, efficient interpretation services. However, facilities need to monitor their skills and provide them with continuing training.

One of the biggest problems with dedicated staff interpreters is that there simply aren’t enough of them, which is why health care facilities often turn to ad hoc interpreters, family members – including children -- or even other patients.

At Language Translation, Inc. in San Diego, medical language services are among our specialties. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. “We speak your language – and theirs.”

Betty Carlson

Language Translation - Training interpreters for European Union institutions

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:34:59 -0500

European Union institutions are the world’s biggest employers of language interpreters and also take an active role in interpretation training programs.

Last week, this blog presented an overview of a 10-minute video released on YouTube that focuses on the job of interpreting for the European Parliament and other European Union structures. The video provides a wealth of fascinating information about not only European Union interpreting, but language interpretation in general.

For example, the short film emphasizes the importance of both language skills and technical skills. Interpreters need to master their target and native languages, of course, but also the techniques and technology used in their field. For that reason, specific training and practice is a crucial factor in their professional development.

In the video, we have the opportunity to see new interpreters training on-site and receiving commentary from professors and experienced interpreters. “It was a good performance,” comments one trainer. “I think you rendered the message very well.”

To make sure to have the supply of qualified language interpreters its structures need, the European Union involves itself actively in training programs, such as the “European Master’s in Conference Interpreting.” This Master’s course was designed by the E.U. and is now offered in a number of European universities.

E-learning is also used to reinforce skills and give future European interpreters all of the practice they need. Language Translation, Inc. in San Diego, California, provides translation and interpretation services in over forty languages, including 24 European languages. “We speak your language – and theirs.”

Betty Carlson

Language Translation - Interpreting: behind the scenes at the European Parliament

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:45:39 -0500

An official video gives a glimpse into the multi-lingual atmosphere of the European Parliament.

A 10-minute video released on YouTube offers an inside look at what it’s like to interpret in the multi-lingual framework of the European Parliament. Language interpreters there work in many different kinds of situations. And it’s not all about government proceedings: they “can find themselves working for their Prime Minister one day, for a group of schoolchildren the next.”

In the video, we are able to see European interpreters at work and hear their opinions about what they do every day. The interpreters interviewed love their jobs, but point out that it can be stressful. Although all of them interpret into their mother tongue, many interpret from two or three languages, so they are constantly switching languages -- and mindsets.

One interpreter points out the key importance of perfect mastery of one’s own language – something that many native speakers don’t necessarily possess. Prime Ministers and other speakers at the European Parliament generally master their own language very well, so E.U. interpreters must interpret to a level of eloquence that not every native speaker can achieve.

Language Translation, Inc. in San Diego, California, provides translation and interpretation services in over forty languages, including 24 European languages. “We speak your language – and theirs.”

Betty Carlson

Language Translation Development

Language Translation - Categories of medical interpreters: Dedicated staff interpreters

See Also

Language Translation - Training interpreters for European Union institutions

See Also

Language Translation - Interpreting: behind the scenes at the European Parliament

See Also