"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well."
Posted
In my fantasizing about future things I might be able to do in Spain, the idea of interpretation interests me a lot. Sounds way more interesting than doing written translation for my extroverted personality. I have a degree in biology and an advanced degree in public health and would be particularly interested in hospital or medical interpretation.
Obviously I have to gain fluency in Spanish and Spanish medical terminology first. But what else might be required? I know there are training programs for conference interpreters, but I don't know if they are like degrees or more like TEFL - good to have but not essential.
And, I've researched hospitals in the US that pay interpreters and others that only have volunteers. Anyone know what the situation is like in Spain/Madrid? I sure know during one of my early hospital experiences I would have loved to have an interpreter.
Juliette, Hi!! Not too sure why there may be a difference between interpretation and translation? I suppose in medical terms a lot of the words can be interpreted quite easily. I have been involved with Age Concern here on the Island for a number of years which involves (amongst other things) visiting expats in the hospitals and interpreting their concerns to the hospital staff and explaining to the patients what is going on. This is all voluntary though, and perhaps that may be the way to go for you in the first instant?
________________________________________ Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
I guess I think of written translation as a solitary and reflective activity, while interpretation would be live and "in the moment." Volunteering would be fine, I'm just curious how it's handled. Perhaps I can just wander around to some clinics or hospitals and ask them what they do about interpreters, if anything.
Jules, my landlord Greg is a medical translator here in Spain. He may also know about medical interpretation. When you get back I'll arrange a meeting and you can ask him all about it. C
Posts: 1013 | Location: MADRID! | Registered: 09 November 2002
