Intercultural Mediation in Healthcare: : From the Professional Medical Interpreters' Perspective. Paperback – August 12, 2016

Medical Interpreting is a fairly new profession, even though the field of interpreting is ancient. If this particular specialization in interpreting existed previously, it was not recognized as separate from any other interpreting activity, and it was certainly not acknowledged as professional field in its own right; but most of all, it was not researched and examined. Specifically, it was not examined through the point of view of medical interpreters, and it was not situated as intercultural mediation. That is why the work of Izabel Souza is so important and timely. At the age when so many of us involved in global inter-communications, where global platform welcomes so many languages and cultures, the new arena of innovative medical practices and technologies, including medical interpreting become more and more visible and important. As a certified medical interpreter with over 20 years of practice in the field and as a bilingual writer, I was specifically fascinated with the connection, so prominently explored by the author, between language & culture and intercultural mediation. The concept of “interpreting culture” is fascinating in itself. What does it involve? How can one interpret values, ethics, emotions? This study explores all of the above with the methodical precision of an expert, through the lenses of interpreter, provider, and the patient, with examination of steps and practices involved. It is invaluable that Dr. Souza’s book provides the reader with so many different prospective and thorough understanding of the experience, being it medical provider, interpreter, or the patient receiving treatment and language assistance through linguistic and cultural mediation. I highly recommend this book for those that wish to deepen their understanding of interpreter practice in healthcare.

Interpreters are often expected to act as mediators; they are also frequently asked not to do it. This confusion is also present in Interpreting Studies as a research field, where intercultural mediation in healthcare interpreting is currently one of the hottest issues. This book addresses the topic head on and provides novel insights into it. It addresses such seemingly prosaic but crucial topics such as timing or advantages and disadvantages of addressing cultural issues, while also dealing with thornier themes like strategies and challenges This book gives a voice to practitioners, who are not always present in the more theoretical discussion that takes place in academia.The most relevant part of this contribution is found in Chapter seven, in the form of a set of recommendations for educators, healthcare providers, interpreters, researchers and the healthcare system.In sum, this serious and thorough study convincingly exposes a broad range of arguments for the consideration of medical interpreters as cultural mediators and as members of the healthcare team. This approach to solutions of culturally based communicative breakdowns is grounded in years of professional practice . Therefore, this is an invaluable tool for the healthcare interpretation community as whole.

Izabel’s book is a counterweight to the concept that medical interpreters should be simple invisible conduits who mechanically provide oral translation. Extensive surveys and focus groups show that interpreters throughout the world are indeed serving as intercultural mediators. Many of them help medical providers and patients truly understand one another by adding explanations that were not explicitly said by the provider or patient. For example, medical interpreters help providers understand the patients’ cultural beliefs so they can be integrated into the treatment plan. Izabel describes how challenging this expanded role can be – in that providers may not wish to give up control of the flow of conversation. With experience, interpreters learn how and when to intervene while supporting the provider-patient rapport. This book is an important look at how interpreters really do their jobs and the contribution they make to medical care. It should be read by medical interpreters everywhere – and by the providers who rely on interpreters to communicate with patients.Gail Price-Wise, SM, Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthPresident, Florida Center for Cultural Competence, Inc.Author, An Intoxicating Error: Mistranslation, Medical Malpractice, and Prejudice