Foreign Language Medical and Legal Interpretation
Why should my organization be concerned about foreign language interpretation?
According to the Census Bureau's survey of the population in 2000, New Hampshire's estimated population for 2000 was 1,235,786. The Census also reports that New Hampshire has doubled the number of residents who are ethnic minorities. Figures show that New Hampshire's Hispanic population has nearly doubled since 1990 and its Asian population increased by 70.5%. In Nashua alone, the Hispanic population grew 123.8%--that's close to 10% of Manchester's and Nashua's combined inhabitants!
In addition to the rise in Spanish speakers, NH has also experienced a rise in the number of refugees making homes in our state. The School Department reports that over 76 languages are spoken by the students in Manchester public schools and approximately 1700 children in the Manchester school system are enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
These languages range from the more common Spanish and Bosnian/Serbo/Croation to African tribal languages such as Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Ciluba, and Lingala. The breadth of these languages creates numerous challenges for our communities.
To assure the success of New Hampshire's health care system, we need to support the training and development of a medical interpretation workforce capable of addressing these many languages. By focusing our efforts we can make improvements around access, quality and cost of care.
What is medical interpretation?
Foreign Language Medical Interpretation refers to the oral communication between a patient and a health care worker, through a third party. The meaning of what is said in one language is "interpreted" or worded to reflect the same meaning in another language. Foreign language medical interpretation refers to this art in the spoken language form when communicating in English and a language other than English. Translation occurs when the message is communicated from one language to another in written form. Sign language interpretation is the form of communication utilized to "speak" with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.
 "The course was really helpful for learning the technical words. And it showed us examples of things that would help in difference situnations. If people do not have the services where they understand the language, there can be problems." Lillian Wojcicki, Interpreter in Spanish and Portuguese.I am interested in receiving training to become a Foreign Language Medical Interpreter.
A 54 hour training is offered to bilingual individuals wishing to become Medical Interpreters. The curriculum is comprised of elements including triadic communication, standards of practice, medical terminology, and role playing consecutive interpreting techniques.
Once you complete 54 hours of training, you will receive a certificate of completion. Your name may be added to an interpreter list that will be made accessible to health care organizations throughout the state.New Hampshire does not currently have an interpreter certification process. AHEC staff link with the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care to keep abreast of the latest information on establishing a National Cerification process.
Please see the attached registration form for the next cycle of training in Manchester.
 Medical Interpretation Spring 2009 Graduating ClassI am interested in assessing the language proficiency of my organization's bilingual staff. The purpose of assessing language proficiency is to assure that the interpreter has the necessary skills in English and the target language(s). All participants in the Interpretation training are required to pass a language proficiency assessment. Organizations working with individuals who are not able to attend the 54 hour training may still arrange to be assessed. Please see the attached Language Proficiency brochure for more information.
I am interested in arranging for a medical interpreter to come to my facility.
You can call a trained interpreter directly.
Click here to see the list of interpreters who have graduated from the Medical Interpreters Training and their respective languages.
You can also contact the Language Bank at Lutheran Social Services of Northern New England at 224-8111 and they will secure an interpreter for you. It is up to the health care organization to negotiate fees directly with either the Language Bank or a free lance interpreters.
What is legal interpretation?
Foreign Language Legal Interpretation refers to the oral communication between a limited English proficiency (LEP) individual and an official of the legal system (judge, attorney, prosecutor, etc) through a third party - the legal (or court) interpreter. What is said in one language is "interpreted" or worded to reflect the same meaning in another language. Translation occurs when the message is communicated from one language to another in written form.
I am interested in receiving training to become a Foreign Language Legal Interpreter.
A 70 hour training is offered to bilingual individuals wishing to become foreign language legal interpreters. This curriculum is comprised of basic standards of interpreting as well as legal terminology and elements of the legal system. Please see attached Legal Interpretation registration form for the next cycle of training in the spring 2010 in Manchester. I am interested in arranging for a legal interpreter to come to my facility.
You can call a trained interpreter directly. Click here to see the list of interpreters who have graduated from the Interpreters Training and their respective languages. You can also contact the Language Bank at Lutheran Social Services at 224-8111 and they will secure an interpreter for you. It is up to your organization to negotiate fees directly with either the Language Bank or a free lance interpreter I am interested in obtaining training on cultural competency for myself or my organization.
The Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center & New Hampshire Minority Health Coalition collaborate to offer a variety of Cultural Competency training. Continuing Education for health professionals is available. To sign up for a session, please click here to link to the activities calendar. In the future you will be able to click on the programs listed below and go directly to the brochure, until then please call Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center at (603) 895-1514 for additional information.
*Working with Medical Interpreters
*Culture & Cultural Competency
*Simulated Patients
*Culture Forums
*New Hampshire Minority Health Coalition
*Assessing Language Interpretation Capacity Among New Hampshire Health Care Providers.
*Medical Interpretation Resource Guide: Click here for the Resource Guide.
 "I know what to do if I encounter a problem with a client or a provider. You have someone's life in between your hands." Faten Alhassun, Interpreter in Arabic. |
