Third Translation Experience

I had my third translation experience on Monday, October 24, 2011. I was with a new doctor, a gastroenterologist who practiced internal medicine in the clinic, since the doctor I normally assisted was sick. There were very few patients this particular day as I only saw two. This doctor, although born and raised British and living in Houston for 50 years, spoke Spanish very well without having taken classes. All I helped in was to translate what a male patient had to say about his general complaints of general weight loss with ballooning of the stomach. Overall it was an interesting experience to be with another doctor and see his perspective on the health crises of the United States, which he puts particular blame on readily available unhealthy foods.

Week 4: Second Translation Experience

On Monday, October 10, 2011, I volunteered as a translator with dermatologists at the San Jose Clinic. Most of the doctors at the clinic knew a little bit of Spanish or just enough to be able to ask basic questions. I was there mostly translate when they were stuck on terms, when they needed me to give a long explanation on how to specifically treat their ailments, or to translate long or complicated answers or questions from the patient. Every single patient I saw was Hispanic and about half of them were proficient enough in English to not need assistance in translation. In most cases, the younger patients would know English probably because they are educated in American schools and may be of a at least second generation of immigrants. It is interesting to see the different cases of dermatological diseases, but I find the sociology very integrating as well.

Week 3: Pamphlet

This week I worked on translating a pamphlet from English to Spanish. The pamphlet was about mammography, on the subjects of what it was, what to expect when one has a mammogram, how to prepare for one, and common questions about mammograms. It was very interesting to translate the pamphlet because each sentence had to be translated differently. In some cases, the sentence could be translated word-for-word, but in other cases, such as the phrasing of the procedures, the sentence structure had to be changed so that the patient could better understand the information. The translation of the pamphlet showed me the importance of a human translator as opposed to using instruments such as Google translate since the word choices and wording of the sentences needed to be personally dealt with. I will review my translations with my Medical Spanish professor to ensure that the translation from English to Spanish kept the integrity of the message. Overall, it was a very interesting experience.