The core of the doctor-patient relationship is good verbal and written communication. It goes without saying what the consequences would be if there’s a misunderstanding. But when both doctor and patient don’t speak the same language communicating can be more than a challenge. Sometimes it can be a downright nightmare. Having interpreter services available is critical. Also having supplemental translated education or instruction information on hand, (in the languages of your community) is key. It aids in greater comprehension of doctor-patient communication, and encourages better follow through of the prescribed advice or regimen.

When it comes to translation it’s crucial that any text or graphics translations be of the highest quality — in wording, connotation and cultural understanding. For example, In the Hmong language, there is no word for cancer or even a concept of it. Inexperienced interpreters have described chemotherapy as “we’re going to put a fire in you” — an obvious deterrent to treatment.

So, to keep from eliciting blank looks from bad or inadequate translations, doctors and other healthcare providers need to pay special attention to the quality of the translation service they use. Yet how can a healthcare provider be certain it has gotten the most accurate translations for its target populations?

Factors to consider when selecting a translator or agency include: experience in the source and target languages, special skills relevant to your field, and an established methodology of best practices for getting projects done well, consistently and on time.

The best and most reliable way to find a good translator is to use the reference of a trusted colleague; someone who has experience with your practice area, and who also has worked with the translator in the past. Since this is not always possible, there are other ways to evaluate prospective agencies or individuals. The approach should be similar to the selection of a valued employee, since the translators can have a big influence on how you are perceived in the target languages. In the U.S., the American Translator’s Association (http://www.atanet.org/) can provide valuable information and references for companies and individuals in your area.

Bottom line, providing quality translations of vital health information for your limited English proficiency patients means you’ll be helping all people better educate themselves which leads to better health for all.

Rachel

Create a Terminology and Style Guide 

Do you happen to have a large technical document, instruction guide, PowerPoint presentation, marketing piece, e-learning module or website that requires translation? Before you rush out and translate everything, consider a key preliminary step that could further enhance understanding, receptivity and cultural appeal while maintaining brand identity and adding a personal twist.

Since no two writing styles are alike and it is often critical to maintain the company’s visual appearance and “writing style,” terminology and style guides are created before translation and act as a writing guide for linguists and a visual guide for designers. These guides can then be expanded and used for all projects to enhance term consistency and brand identity. For instance, a “scalpel” isn’t a “knife,” nor is the word “stress” always perceived as negative. Certain catch phrases, marketing slogans, graphics and visual design may also need to be tweaked to better fit the target audience.

While it is important to use linguistic experts that have both a command of the target language and subject matter knowledge, terminology and style guides play an important role as well. Companies are able to define the tone of the writing style, ensure the visual appropriateness of graphics and pinpoint key technical terms or terms that have certain connotations and contextual meaning before starting the translation. This allows organizations to avoid costly review and editing cycles later in the translation process if the changes are subjective or preferential.

That being said, it is never a bad idea to establish a style guide and glossary of terminology with your translation professionals well before you dive head first into a translation project for a substantial, technical or otherwise creatively written and designed masterpiece. Chances are what seemed catchy and understood in English won’t be as “translation-friendly” in the target language. Creating a glossary of terms and style guides will help you evaluate and navigate these challenges more thoroughly.

More to come,

Taylor