Medical Interpreting Basics
Four roles of a medical interpreter
1) Message conveyer; 2) Message clarifier; 3) Cultural Broker; 4) Patient Advocate
Message Conveyer/Conduit
1) Transporting verbal and non-verbal messages between the patient and provider;
2) Must interpret everything, without adding or subtracting; 3) Interpreter sets the
flow of the conversation and is a mediator, allowing only 1 side to speak at a time
Message Clarifier
1) Interpreters are alert for concepts or words that may cause a misunderstanding;
2) Register varies, based on background and education, so vocabulary usage may
need to follow suit
Cultural Broker/Clarifier
Interpreters are alert to cultural words or concepts that might lead to a
misunderstanding--including comments made and medical treatments offered
Patient Advocate
The interpreter actively supports a change in the interest of patient well-being and
health
Pre-session
