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Nataly Kelly
The Voice On The Other End Of The Phone
Health Affairs, November/December 2008; 27(6): 1701-1706. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Narrative Matters Essay On NPR] [Reprints & Permissions]

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Comments published:

[Read Comment] Interpreting In The Legal Field
Martha I. Landeros   ( 23 November 2008 )
[Read Comment] The Many Voices Of The Medical Interpreter
Lilian M. Jimenez-Ramsey   ( 27 January 2009 )

Interpreting In The Legal Field 23 November 2008
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Martha I. Landeros,
Court Interpreter
L.A. County Superior Court

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Re: Interpreting In The Legal Field

marthalanderos{at}sbcglobal.net Martha I. Landeros

I find that Ms. Kelly's experiences in the health field mirror many aspects of legal interpreting. Not being able to understand what is going on in the critical moments of a patient's health problems, as well as being a victim, parent/relative, or defendant in a criminal case, causes tremendous anxiety and frustration. We interpreters are the intellectual, social, and cultural bridge. Thank you, Ms. Kelly, for this anecdotal evidence of the crucial need for qualified professional interpreters.

The Many Voices Of The Medical Interpreter 27 January 2009
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Lilian M. Jimenez-Ramsey,
Translator & Interpreter
Freelancer

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Re: The Many Voices Of The Medical Interpreter

lilian.ramsey{at}comcast.net Lilian M. Jimenez-Ramsey

As a former medical interpreter over the phone, I share many of the stories compellingly told us in this essay. The imagery we have to develop, as a patient or a provider utters their part of the conversation, the attention to the tone and inflection of their voices, the silence -- sometimes in between the words pronounced -- the many feelings exchanged during difficult encounters, all of that through the wire . . . captured by responsible, ethical, and professionally trained medical interpreters. Our job is huge; our responsibility, immense. Thank you so much for a wonderful summary of our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice! This is a must-read for medical interpreting training programs.

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