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.