Language Translation – Can medical interpreters also translate?
In the medical field, document translation is highly complex. As with any type of translation, translators must be excellent writers in their native language(s), and possess a near-perfect understanding of the linguistic and cultural nuances of the languages they translate from.
In addition, medical translators need to be experts in medical terminology, know how to use specialized dictionaries, and possess a working knowledge of the field of medicine in general.
Medical facilities are increasingly staffed with at least a few interpreters, but these employees are specialized in oral translation and may not possess the necessary skills to translate official written texts.
A comprehensive document published by the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) last year addresses many issues pertinent to language services in the medical field, including the question of whether medical interpreters can also translate. The conclusion is clear: interpreters should not be used to translate written documents unless they are also qualified translators with the requisite training, experience and writing skills.
As the IMIA points out, however, interpreters are often asked to “sight translate:” to give an impromptu oral translation of a basic medical document that is not intended for publication. This is a very useful skill for interpreters to have, but it requires practice and not all interpreters are capable sight translators.
Clearly, the language used when medical staff members are speaking to patients is quite different from the formal, scientific language of medical papers and articles. Thus, the skills sets of language service professionals need to be assessed and taken into account when assigning language tasks in medical settings.
Betty Carlson
See Also
- Language Translation, Inc.
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