How translators work within medical settings - challenges and considerations

Olimpia Piera Brichese

doi:10.25365/thesis.54537

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Title (eng)

How translators work within medical settings - challenges and considerations

Author

Olimpia Piera Brichese

Advisor

Hanna Risku

Assessor

Hanna Risku

Abstract (deu)

Ziel dieser MA Arbeit ist es, die Tätigkeit der Übersetzer*innen, die im medizinischen Bereich arbeiten, darzustellen. Geschildert werden nicht nur die sprachlichen Aspekte der Tätigkeit, sondern auch die „menschlichen“, wie im Falle einer Supervision im medizinischen Bereich, die von einer Expert*in durchgeführt werden muss. Für die vorliegende MA-Arbeit wurden 4 Teilnehmer*innen (aus Italien und Österreich) per E-Mail interviewt. Diese Personen arbeiten derzeit oder haben als Übersetzer*innen im medizinischen Bereich gearbeitet. Sie wurden gebeten, ihre Arbeitserfahrung als Übersetzer*innen im medizinischen Bereich zu beschreiben. In den Interviews schilderten sie sowohl die sprachlichen Herausforderungen der Tätigkeit als auch die emotionalen Herausforderungen und die positiven Aspekte, die diese Tätigkeit mit sich bringt.

Abstract (eng)

The present paper aims at analysing communication within healthcare settings. When a person is undergoing medical treatment in another country, it is important to deliver medical information in a correct manner verbally and also in written form. To this end, the role of experts of the language, i.e. interpreters and translators, is crucial. This paper analyses the work of translators working in such an environment by underlining all the aspects of the profession and the challenges that may arise, not only concerning the linguistic aspects but also the “human” ones, such as the need of thirdparty supervision in particular cases. For this study four participants have been interviewed: each of them worked or is working as a hospital translator. They were asked to talk about their experience by mentioning not only the linguistic challenges, but also emotional aspects of their job. The interviews have been carried out by e-mail. Making reference to the research questions and the results collected, similarities have been found out according to linguistic aspects: it has been found that many translators do ask a medical expert for further information or advice when they are facing difficult medical terms; alternatively, they create their own medical glossaries. Other similarities regard the ethical aspects and the importance of not disclosing confidential information. Also working hours and routine are described as similar. Furthermore, the importance of the relationship that may develop between patient and translator was stressed, as the latter may be the only point of reference for the patient. Willingness to help is also another important aspect that will be treated in this paper, as well as cultural encounter. Regarding the emotional effects of translation in the medical context, supervision sessions have been highlighted as a useful tool and opportunity to overcome difficult situations.

Keywords (eng)

communicationhealthcare settingstranslation

Keywords (deu)

KommunikationÜbersetzenmedizinischer Bereich

Subject (deu)

Sprachwissenschaft: Sonstiges

Subject (deu)

Kommunikationswissenschaft: Sonstiges

Subject (deu)

Kommunikation und Gesellschaft

Type (deu)

Masterarbeit