A call for interpreters at a local hospital (CT)

WTNH Television ^ | 5/11/2006 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(Waterbury-WTNH, May 10, 2006 5:50 PM) _ Is there a communication gap in Waterbury?

A community group says part of the city's population is underserved at area hospitals.

Waterbury fire fighters always answer the call but on scene not everyone always speaks English.

Howard Osorio says,"Usually there is a neighbor or a child who is bilingual to help us out."

14-year-old Isomar is one of those bi-lingual kids.

Isomar says,"Since I was 8-years-old I have been translating for my mom."

She says the hardest part is at hospitals and having to translate medical jargon.

Isomar says,"It's just really embarrassing for me to have to tell the doctor about things about her and even some of the words I don't understand what they are saying."

In Waterbury alone there are over 40 different languages spoken so the Naugatuck Valley Project is asking hospitals to improve the translation system by providing trained, interpreters in person.

Elizabeth Rosa, Naugatuck Valley Project, says,"It's not about catering to them its about getting people the adequate health care."

Isomar says,"If I say something wrong and something happens to my mom I'm going to feel really guilty about it."

Most hospitals rely on bilingual staff members or volunteers. Most also have mechanical interpreting devices or a sort of bilingual conference call.

Rosa says,"You want to have the phone system available fine - but also there are ways to be able to get funds to get hospitals working together for a better system in the valley."

Isomar says her mother's English has gotten better but she still finds herself deciphering and translating what the doctor or nurse is saying.

[Szent_Adam_Kiraly]

I dont think "endoscopic retrograde choleangiography" is covered in basic english.

[Biblebelter]

part of the city's population

it did not say part of the city's citizenry

In this New World Order population describes the people living in a geographic area rather than citizenry because the concept of nationhood has almost been totally destroyed.

[Szent_Adam_Kiraly]

"I know this for a fact, that you don't have to speak the language in order to help someone, a person or an animal."

It sure helps though.. Ever tried to seek medical assistance in a country that doesnt speak your language?

[Puppage]

So, for the last six years his mother hasn't managed to learn some basic English?

I thought the same thing. I guess there's no incentive to learn when you can rely on your kid to do it for you.

[Old Professer]

Well, the writer used an Hispanic surname for his exploited examplar so that was established; the other 39 languages combined only represent a small percentage of the dominant foreign language made an example here.

As far as trnslating the medical terms that is pretty much hopeless as doctors aren't taught to speak plain english either.

[mlc9852]

Then those who speak neither English nor Spanish are really in trouble. Usually you can find someone to speak Spanish pretty easily. Not so sure about the other 39 languages.

[Old Professer]

I was in a Denny's in Woodland Hills, Ca. about 11:30 one evening and two guys came in and were unable to get the waitress to understand a word; after a few minutes of sign language and some running back and forth to the manager's office and kitchen, the one waiter turned to the waitress and told her that the two were speaking Portugese and he hadn't the slightest idea what they were saying.

They ate from the pictured items and left, chuckling to themselves.

[mlc9852]

I guess they are glad there were pictures!

[george wythe]

The article is about a Mexican.

I can't find any reference to a Mexican in the article. Can you be more specific?

[humblegunner]

To me, immigrants are immigrants.

No.

Illegal immigrants are criminals and thieves.

Legal immigrants are deserving of respect.

[phil1750]

NEW RULES:

1. You want to immigrate? Learn English FIRST. 2. You want a work permit? Learn English FIRST. 3. You want a student visa? Learn English FIRST.

[HairOfTheDog]

Hey kid get a private Spanish speaking doctor and stop using the emergency room as a GP.

Kind of a lot to put on the KID in the family isn't it?

[mlc9852]

But illegal immigrants, once granted amnesty, are no longer illegal.

[humblegunner]

But illegal immigrants, once granted amnesty, are no longer illegal.

Which is why amnesty is a terrible idea.

[Xenalyte]

Ever tried to seek medical assistance in a country that doesnt speak your language?

Sure have. Last time I was in Mexico (that would be 1997), I got deathly ill and had to see not only a doctor, but some paramedics.

If I didn't speak Spanish, Lord knows what would have happened to me.

But that's the point . . . I spoke the caregivers' language and could tell them what was wrong with me. Therefore, I got the care I needed.

[mlc9852]

So you don't think anyone should visit another country if they don't know the language?

[half-cajun]

"The only thing I distinguish is if they are Muslims."

What?

[Xenalyte]

As far as trnslating the medical terms that is pretty much hopeless as doctors aren't taught to speak plain english either.

My doctors do. And if they don't speak it to me, I go the "What does that mean?" route until they do.

After all, I'm paying them, so I want maximum benefit for my money, and that means comprehension.

[mlc9852]

I much rather have Mexicans coming here than Muslims.

[Xenalyte]

Not at all. I think that if you visit a non-English-speaking country without knowing the native language, you should be prepared for the consequences should something happen.