Medical vs Legal Interpreting

Interpreting is an essential service that facilitates communication between individuals who do not share the same language. It involves the transmission of a message from one language to another while maintaining the intended meaning and tone.

Interpreting services are required in various industries, including healthcare and legal. Medical and legal interpreting are two of the most common interpreting services that are provided.

Medical Interpreting

Medical interpreting is a specialized type of interpreting that is designed to assist patients and medical professionals in communicating with each other. It involves interpreting medical terminology, procedures, and diagnoses to patients who do not speak the language of the healthcare provider.

Medical interpreters must have extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. They must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to ensure that messages are relayed accurately and compassionately.

Legal Interpreting

Legal interpreting is another specialized type of interpreting that is designed to assist individuals in legal proceedings who do not speak the language of the court. It involves interpreting legal terminology, procedures, and documents to clients, witnesses, and attorneys who do not speak the same language.

Legal interpreters must have extensive knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. They must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to ensure that messages are relayed accurately and impartially.

The Differences

Medical and legal interpreting differ in several key ways:

• Specialization: Medical interpreting requires extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures, while legal interpreting requires extensive knowledge of legal terminology and procedures.

• Emotional Tone: Medical interpreting often involves sensitive and emotional discussions related to a patient's health, while legal interpreting is more formal and objective in nature.

• Length of Interaction: Medical interpreting interactions tend to be shorter and more sporadic than legal interpreting interactions, which can last several hours or even days.

Although medical and legal interpreting share some similarities, it's essential to recognize the differences to ensure that the appropriate interpreter is chosen for each situation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, medical and legal interpreting are two specialized types of interpreting that serve different purposes. Both require extensive knowledge of specific terminology and procedures, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

As the demand for interpreting services continues to increase, it's important to understand the nuances of each type of interpreting to ensure that clients receive the highest quality service possible.