Language interpreting as social justice work: perspectives of formal and informal healthcare interpreters.

Full Abstract

The assurance that limited-English-proficient individuals have access to quality healthcare depends on the availability of competent healthcare interpreters. To further understand the complex work of interpreting, we conducted in-depth interviews with 27 formal and informal healthcare interpreters. Participants identified the technical conduit role as the professional standard. Yet they experienced considerable role dissonance and blurring. From their position "in the middle," they witnessed discrimination and bias. Having a social justice perspective encouraged expanding their role to include advocacy and cultural brokering. Implications for nursing include a shared commitment to language access and social justice.

Author information

Author/s: Hilfinger Messias, DeAnne K (DK); McDowell, Liz (L); Estrada, Robin Dawson (RD);

Affiliation: Women's and Gender Studies Program, College of Arts and Science and College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. dkmessia(-atsign-)mailbox.sc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: ANS. Advances in nursing science (ANS Adv Nurs Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Apr-Jun; vol 32 (issue 2) : pp 128-43

Dates: Created 2009/05/22; Completed 2009/08/03;

PMID: 19461230, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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