How to analyse the records you got from the records:
1. Steps for Analyzing the Translation Process
Step 1: Identify Translation Challenges
- Linguistic Challenges:
- Dialectal variations (e.g., Algerian Arabic vs. Standard Arabic).
- Lack of direct equivalents for medical terms (e.g., "glaucoma" in Arabic).
- Ambiguities in patient descriptions of symptoms.
- Cultural Challenges:
- Differences in health beliefs or practices (e.g., how patients describe pain or illness).
- Taboos or sensitivities around certain topics.
- Situational Challenges:
- Time pressure during emergencies.
- Emotional states of patients or doctors.
Step 2: Evaluate Meaning Transfer
- Accuracy: Are medical terms, instructions, and diagnoses translated correctly?
- Example: Does the Spanish term "catarata" accurately translate to the Arabic term " الماء
?"األبيض
- Completeness: Is the full message conveyed, or are parts omitted?
- Example: Are patient symptoms fully relayed to the doctor?
- Clarity: Is the translated message clear and understandable to the target audience?
- Example: Do patients understand post-surgery instructions after translation?
Step 3: Analyze Interpreter Strategies
- Compensation Strategies: How do interpreters handle untranslatable terms or concepts?
1
- Example: Using paraphrasing or explanations for complex terms.
- Note-Taking: Do interpreters take notes to manage long or complex information?
- Clarification Requests: How often do interpreters ask for clarification from doctors or
patients?
Step 4: Examine Factors Impacting Translation
- Interpreter Training: Are interpreters trained in medical translation? How does this affect
quality?
- Power Dynamics: How do hierarchies (e.g., doctor-interpreter-patient) influence
communication?
- Time Constraints: How does the urgency of medical situations impact translation accuracy?
- Cultural Sensitivity: How do interpreters navigate cultural differences in communication
styles?
2. Use Translation Studies Theories
Incorporate relevant theories to frame your analysis:
- Skopos Theory: Focus on the purpose of the translation (e.g., ensuring patient understanding
vs. medical accuracy).
- Dynamic Equivalence: Analyze how interpreters prioritize meaning over literal translation.
- Interpreter Role: Discuss whether interpreters act as "conduits" (neutral) or "mediators"
(active participants).
3. Analyze Specific Translation Scenarios
Focus on key scenarios from your data:
- Pre-Surgery Consultations: How are complex medical procedures explained and translated?
- Post-Surgery Instructions: Are patients able to follow translated instructions accurately?
- Emergency Situations: How does the urgency of the situation impact translation quality?
4. Compare Perspectives
2
- Interpreter vs. Doctor: Do interpreters feel they convey messages accurately, while doctors
feel something is lost in translation?
- Interpreter vs. Patient: Do patients feel understood, while interpreters struggle with dialectal
or cultural barriers?
5. Highlight Key Findings
- Successful Translation Practices: What strategies work well in ensuring accurate and clear
translation?
- Gaps in Translation: Where does meaning break down, and why?
- Impact on Patient Outcomes: How does translation quality affect patient understanding,
trust, and compliance?
6. Present Your Analysis
- Thematic Structure: Organize your findings around key themes (e.g., linguistic challenges,
cultural mediation, interpreter strategies).
- Examples and Quotes: Use direct quotes from interviews to illustrate your points.
- Visual Aids: Include tables or diagrams to summarize findings (e.g., a table comparing
interpreter strategies).
Example of Analysis Output
Theme: Linguistic Challenges in Medical Translation
- Example 1: "The term 'retinal detachment' doesn’t have a direct equivalent in Arabic, so I
had to explain it using simpler terms." (Interpreter)
- Example 2: "Sometimes patients use local dialect words for symptoms, and I’m not familiar
with them." (Interpreter)
- Implication: Linguistic gaps can lead to incomplete or inaccurate translation, affecting
patient understanding.
3
Theme: Cultural Mediation in Translation
- Example 1: "In Algerian culture, patients may not directly say they’re in pain, so I have to
read between the lines." (Interpreter)
- Example 2: "I noticed that Cuban doctors are very direct, but Algerian patients prefer a more
indirect approach." (Interpreter)
- Implication: Cultural differences require interpreters to act as mediators, not just translators.
