Manage the Interpreting Encounter

This chapter will include the tasks of:

• Monitor one’s competence and limitations; 
• Manage unfamiliar terms and concepts;
• Manage the flow of communication.

The interpreting encounter is regulated mainly by the interpreter in terms of how she/he presents themselves, makes clear what his/her roles are and how the encounter will take place. 

The following video, Interpreting for Palliative Care – Scene 1 by California Health Care Foundation, exemplifies perfect management of the initial contact by the interpreter to the provider, in this case, the doctor. Take a moment to watch the video, and while watching it, please answer the following questions:

1. What skills does the interpreter show in the initial contact?
2. What are some essential questions she asked?
3. What else did is observed of importance?

Asking for Clarification

 While the medical interpreting happens, needs clarification will happen.

While watching the video, please note three common mistakes interpreters make while asking for clarification.

Difficult situations

Sometimes an encounter might be problematic where there is a video discussing such a situation.

Activity:

Create a dialogue

 Dialogues: During the course, There are six dialogues students will write to practice medical interpreting skills, learn about Spanish cultural information, and prepare for their careers.

Each Dialogue is about a different topic, focusing on the topic provided as follows:

 For DIALOGUE, we will focus on: Managing the Interpreting Encounter  

Guidelines for writing Dialogue

• Use template (chance for each chapter topic)
• Font size 12, Candara or times new roman, up to 2 pages in length.
• Choose at least three characters (Doctor or nurse, interpreter, patient) 
• Always use the same characters as developing a sitcom (i.e., Grays Anatomy; Scrubs, Nurse Jacky, Dr. House)
• Complete work online to become familiar with the topic
• Create up to two pages of Dialogue in Spanish and English (bilingual) using the topic information
• Post finished Dialogue on learn/dropbox in the corresponding dropbox.

Interpreting Exercise #4 (Video)

TASKS

Compare and contrast the two situations shown in the video below.

Check your understanding of what each person says using captions.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. The following video has 2 situations: A & B. Please watch both situations carefully.
2. Next, watch the captioned video
   • Note since the video is in both Spanish and English, you need to watch the specially captioned video containing captions in both languages.
     • do not just turn captions on in YouTube!
3. Write a short paragraph, create a video, OR a graphic comparing and contrasting situations A & B.
   • Indicate which situation you would choose for your professional practice.
   • Briefly describe how/if the captions helped you.
     • Did you miss any information? If so, why?

Video without Captions

Video with Captions in Spanish and English