1. Choose a professional certified healthcare interpreter and become familiar with the code of ethics · By reviewing the code of ethics, you will better
What exactly is accuracy when interpreting? This might seem like an obvious question, but it is more complicated than you realize. Why do I say
Company orientations are one of the most common types of employee training. It introduces employees to the company and shares its method of operation and
I am thrilled and delighted to announce that I will present at the Associated Builders & Contractors of the Carolinas 2019 Safety Conference. This year
In every profession, we have those on the cutting edge, as well as those who believe there is no school like the old school. As
In the past, we had an attorney angrily complain about our independent certified court interpreter. She was furious because the certified interpreter continually paused and
A while back I stood before a Hispanic work crew in the early morning before the start of the work shift. I was doing a
Arriving on time is a very big deal! As much as we try to stand out for our as quality, ethical and knowledgeable professionals, some
Often, I hear complaints about good interpreters because they rigidly stick to their job description. This blog might get me in trouble with some of
A company was having problems with a Hispanic crew. They were a very good crew with the reputation for working fast and doing quality work.
Last month we discussed three action items to minimize violations against your client’s due process rights. To close 2018, here are the remaining action items
I have a few pet peeves to discuss. Sometimes I run into exceptional interpreters who have some terrible habits; I also run into good interpreters
Over time, I have come to identify two types of people. The person who tends to dwell on negative things and the positive person. Negative
South Carolina has become a larger melting pot since the 1990s. Today in Spartanburg, there is a decent Russian language community. In Laurens, there are
When I think of setting high expectations, two South Carolina companies come to mind: BMW and Greenville Health System (GHS). I have heard stories of
To become a certified healthcare interpreter in the USA, a person must first take interpreting courses. I attended an 80-hour course at Greenville Tech. I
Yes, garlic is a very powerful substance that gives me super powers! Let me describe the first time I discovered this awesome power. I was
I have been watching the debate on artificial intelligence. Many translators will attest that only highly skilled human beings with knowledge and training can understand
All the stories I share are about people I knew and are true. However, I did change the names to protect the innocent, the guilty,
Healthcare interpreters are encouraged to become proficient at note taking. I have found note taking especially useful when I must remember dates and numbers. For
Sarcasm is a kind of humor that can be very witty, but it can also easily be misunderstood. Often, the humor goes right over many
Often, when I do safety training, company leaders’ eyes are opened to the perils and potential for greatness. However, doubt sets in. They tell me
As an interpreter, I find myself jealous of translators. They have one benefit the interpreter cannot have. The translator can read and re-read a text
It’s understandable that the police department wishes to spend taxpayer dollars in a responsible way. Certified and quality professional interpreters are not cheap. Some departments
A great conference interpreter knows how to attentively listen and speak. That seems like a very simple sentence, but it is much harder to achieve
The story is true, but the name is changed. Armando had been working on a scaffold about 20 feet high. The scaffold was not
I know this seems obvious, but an interpreter must understand what is being said if he is to transmit the information. With that in mind,
As a business owner, one thing I have noticed over many years is that Hispanics relocating to the U.S. will move wherever there is work.
It might seem overly simple, but professional interpreters must be able to hear and understand what is being said to do their job. I say
Recently, we posted a blog outlining the necessity of preparation as a key to an accomplished multilingual event. There are many moving parts to a
For several years now, I have been conducting OSHA 30-hourand 10-hour classes in construction and general industry at Greenville Tech. I love teaching those classes
Whether you have an international conference or a company training, the presenters are experts in their field. They likely use complicated terminology specific to their
My dad used to always say, “Mind over matter, when your mind’s made up, nothing else matters!” Imagine trying to interpret that! In this case,
Recently, Emily and I were invited by Charleston Legal Access to work at a Spanish power of attorney clinic in Charleston, SC. About nine lawyers
Who is your intended reader? Quite often, potential clients ask me what my fee is to translate a safety manual into Spanish. Believe it
The function of a judge is to ensure that the law is upheld, and justice is carried out. When any party or witness before the
This year, I received a reminder that if I don’t obtain my continuing education credits, my healthcare interpreter certification will expire! This would mean that
Multilingual conferences require an extra level of planning to incorporate interpreting teams; they also have the potential for snafus. The purpose for the following tips
Most large conferences require a ton of planning (sometimes over a year in advance) for the event to proceed smoothly. Conferences with multinational/multilingual attendance require
It never fails that at least one session at the American Translators Association annual convention results in a very entertaining, lively debate over interpreter ethics.
Nobody really wants to return. Prosecutors seek a guilty verdict that sticks; defenders seek the best outcome possible for their clients. Victims don’t want
Safety trainers are always seeking better ways to motivate others and reach their heart. Sometimes this is done by showing others the terrible results
Many of you know the Dollar Shave Club. I order shaving supplies along with shampoo, soaps, and other items! I like their products, they are
When an interpreter is required for a deposition, preparation is key for success and efficacy. Remembering the following recommendations will help avoid common problems that
I’m going to get a little philosophical here about what is artistic and beautiful. Both my daughter Lily and I like to bake. I like
As technology continues to advance, so have interpreting options. When it comes to medical interpreting, access to an interpreter can mean the difference between life
As we discussed in Part I of this article, the goal of the safety department is to save lives while reducing risk and cost to
We provided a conference interpreting proposal for a large conference in a large United States city. The proposal also had an expiration date. The reason
