Language Interpretation Research Articles

Assessment of a Video Training Module on Effective Communication with Interpreters.

Trainee physicians are expected to communicate effectively with patients requiring language interpretation immediately when beginning independent practice, yet few receive training. Given the importance of professional interpreters' expertise and perspectives in teaching physicians, our team of pediatric residents, attending physicians, and professional interpreters co-developed an interdisciplinary educational video module to teach best practices. Residents and fellows at a large academic medical center completed the module in June 2022. Participants' knowledge and self-reported behaviors were assessed three times: before the module (pre-test), immediately after the module (immediate post-test), and 6months after the module (delayed post-test). Our analysis included 96 out of 333 respondents (29%) who completed all three tests. Mean pre-test to delayed post-test scores increased. The single best practice behavior reported more often by trainees at the time of the delayed post-test was interpreter maintenance of confidentiality. A video module improved trainee knowledge on working with interpreters, though more research is needed on how to improve best-practice behaviors.

Stakeholders’ concerns regarding the standard of Sign Language interpretation in Zimbabwe’s Justice System

This qualitative study explored three issues regarding courtinterpreting in the justice system of Zimbabwe. First, the articleexamines various stakeholders’ concerns about the quality ofinterpreting in Zimbabwe’s justice system and how it affectsthe rights of Deaf litigants in legal disputes. Second, the articleassesses the application of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution andrelevant laws applied in courtrooms, as well as the relationshipbetween language and the legal system in Deaf communities.Finally, the article examines the linguistic techniques employed byother participants in the legal system to communicate with Deafpersons and the consequences of inadequate interpreting duringlegal proceedings. The data used methodological and theoreticaltriangulation for data collection and analysis; participants for thestudy were selected using purposeful sampling. First, selectedcritical personnel representing organisations for people who aredeaf, judicial officials and Zimbabwean Sign Language interpretersparticipated in semistructured interviews. Furthermore, focus groupdiscussions were held with individuals with hearing impairmentsto establish their perceptions of the standard of court interpretingin Zimbabwe’s courts. Finally, the standard of Sign Languageinterpreting in courtrooms was evaluated by observing open courtsessions. The collected data were analysed using critical theory inlanguage policy and ethnography of language policy, to understandthe linguistic practices and communication challenges faced byDeaf individuals in Zimbabwe’s justice system. The analysis revealsa shortage of proficient Zimbabwean Sign Language interpreters inZimbabwean courts. Additionally, people who occasionally providedSign Language interpreting services were unqualified to offer suchservices, which caused communication challenges during trialsand confirmed ordinary citizens’ perceptions of the government’scommitment to protecting the language rights of people withhearing disabilities. The researchers suggest that the Zimbabweangovernment and other stakeholders should establish a pool ofinterpreters and allocate funds to train proficient Zimbabwean SignLanguage court interpreters.

“Tale as Old as Time”: Animation as a Medium in Teaching Audiovisual Language and Audio Description

This article presents a didactic sequence for learning the fundamentals of filmic audio description (AD) using audiovisual materials that employ animation techniques. The study also aims to raise students’ awareness of animation as a technique rather than as a children’s film genre. To achieve this, we review the principles of didactics in this translation modality and the principles of animation, we design sessions focused on teaching film language and AD quality standards, and we classify and analyse the most common errors made by students when creating audio description scripts (ADS). The study concludes that errors related to objectivity and the interpretation of film language are the most frequent, and that the sequence encourages students to be more interested in this technique and to recognize its importance in the history of cinema.

A qualitative synthesis of literature on mental health therapies for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people from multiple perspectives: the Deaf client, the mental health practitioner and the sign language interpreter

ABSTRACT Understanding the experience of mental health therapies including counselling, psychology or psychotherapy for culturally Deaf, and hard-of-hearing individuals, is an important area of research, because of the many unique challenges faced by Deaf people. This qualitative synthesis aimed to discover the experiences of the therapeutic triad from the perspective of the Deaf client, mental health practitioner and sign language interpreter. The aim was to expose a range of experiences, as well as potential solutions to inform best practice. A search strategy was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The data was analysed using thematic synthesis. Themes were categorised under the three therapeutic perspectives. Three main themes were generated for the Deaf client, including access issues, lack of mental health knowledge, Deaf community and identity. Three main themes were generated for the mental health practitioner, Deaf awareness, difficulties with adapting therapeutic practice and difficulties with diagnosis. One main theme was generated for the sign language interpreter, vicarious trauma. In order to strengthen the triangle of care, multiple solutions were identified. Clinical implications include improving access to mental health services for Deaf clients, offering clinical supervision for sign language interpreters and providing training for mental health professionals and sign language interpreters to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the Deaf.

How healthcare organizations provide disability accommodations to promote equitable care: A qualitative study.

How healthcare organizations provide disability accommodations to promote equitable care: A qualitative study.

Interpreting is an emotional effort: Public service interpreters’ coping strategies in emotionally charged situations

Public service interpreters are at risk of burnout and vicarious trauma, as are all practitioners in the helping professions. A few rare studies on this subject show the almost systematic absence of support offered to interpreters to face these challenges. Furthermore, training and theories describing the practice of interpreting ignore the emotional aspect of this type of work. The main objective of this study is to highlight the strategies used by interpreters to cope with emotionally charged interventions. Following an exploratory and qualitative design, 21 sign and speech language interpreters agreed to recount a significant event in their careers. These narratives were subjected to a deductive thematic analysis according to three theoretical frameworks, thus allowing to highlight the relational dynamics during an interpreted intervention (stances and positionings) and the necessary cognitive efforts. Four coping strategies emerged from the analysis. Two are collaborative and seem to lead to a satisfactory resolution of the event, even if the emotional load is strong and poses significant challenges during the intervention. The other two have an obstructive impact on the communication. Taken together, the results of this study show that public service interpretation is an emotional as well as a cognitive and relational effort.

He said ‘I will ask you questions’: A case study of interpreter impact on rapport building in an authentic sign language interpreter-mediated police-suspect interview

In police-suspect interviews it has been argued that rapport building and management plays a vital role in collecting good quality evidence. How rapport building and management is achieved in the presence of an interpreter is an understudied topic. To examine how the interpreter manages this feature of communication we present an interdisciplinary case study analysis of an authentic police-suspect interview involving a deaf suspect, a British Sign Language interpreter and two police officers. Discourse-based interpreting research has determined that interpreters are participants within the interpreter-mediated interaction, and that a high level of discursive expertise and sensitivity is a necessary skill for interpreters working in police interview settings. For this study we draw on policing research to apply a rapport model used in police interviews, and on interpreting studies to examine the interpreter’s use of expanded renditions (Wadensjö, 1998) and source attribution (Metzger, 1999) and the interpreter’s impact on rapport building. These rendition types contain what appears to be conscious or unconscious additions to the source message that seem to support the suspect’s ability to understand the interpreted message but, in some cases, potentially jeopardise the officer’s rapport building strategies. The examples we provide demonstrate the delicate balance needed because expansions to meaning, repetitions or source attribution utilised by the interpreter may lead to unintentional coercive outcomes.

Training and usage of language interpretation services among health care providers in a large Canadian pediatric centre

Abstract Objectives Canada has a diverse population and one of the highest immigration rates in the world. Non-English or French language preference populations face barriers accessing health care, which leads to increased rates of adverse events. Adequate training of health care providers (HCPs) with language interpretation services (LIS) and having accessible LIS are crucial to improve the quality of patient care. We sought to identify HCPs’ prior training, and use of and attitudes toward LIS in a Canadian tertiary pediatric centre. Methods An electronic survey was developed and distributed to a diverse group of pediatric HCPs at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta between October 2022 and February 2023. Survey completion was anonymous and voluntary. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data and thematic analysis for free text responses. Results Three hundred forty-five HCPs accessed the survey and 281 (81%) completed it. Fifty-three percent of respondents encountered a pediatric non-English or French language preference patient/family once weekly or more and 51.5% reported no previous training in the use of LIS in patient care. In-person interpreters were perceived as the most effective LIS modality. Barriers to using LIS included: inability to access desired modality and/or language; insufficient time; and lack of comfort in effective usage. Conclusions HCPs perceive LIS as integral to patient care and convenient to use, yet most report no prior training. This study identifies multiple barriers to using LIS and suggested improvements include enhancing LIS accessibility, reliability, and LIS education. These results will help inform local LIS initiatives and resource allocation.

From semantic concreteness to concretism in schizophrenia: An automated linguistic analysis of speech produced in figurative language interpretation

ABSTRACT Lack of abstract thinking, known as concretism, is a well-known psychopathological feature of schizophrenia, reflecting the tendency to adhere to concrete aspects of stimuli and figurative language comprehension difficulties. Inspired by the similarity between ‘concretism’ as defined in psychopathology and ‘concreteness’ as defined in linguistics, namely a semantic dimension linked to perceptual experience, we tested the novel hypothesis that impairment in deriving figurative meanings is related to impairment at the semantic level, involving concreteness. We analysed speech samples from 63 individuals with schizophrenia and 47 controls, who were asked to verbalise the meaning of idioms, metaphors, and proverbs. By automatically extracting linguistic features from speech, we observed that answers in the schizophrenia group exhibited higher word concreteness and the related measure of word imageability, especially in proverbs, while not differing from controls’ ones in lexical richness and speech-time composition. Concreteness in verbalisations produced by individuals with schizophrenia negatively predicted their ability to understand proverbs and their global pragmatic and cognitive profile. This study supports the idea that concretism is rooted in semantics, linking the tendency to concrete figurative interpretations and a bias towards concrete words. In this view, impairment in figurative language understanding can be seen as a difficulty in abstracting away from perceptual-related properties associated with linguistic inputs, in the broader context of multisensory integration disruption. The study discloses new areas of interest for the automated analysis of speech in psychosis, pointing to the importance of considering concreteness for better characterising linguistic profiles and identifying clinically relevant linguistic dimensions.

User experience questionnaire in sign language for native users of Slovenian sign language

Accessibility of interactive services is vital for building an inclusive society. While accessibility standards are increasingly being adopted, there remains a gap in user experience evaluation approaches tailored to deaf participants. To address this, the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) was translated to Slovenian Sign Language (SSL) and its appropriateness and reliability evaluated in a research study. Two interactive TV solutions for deaf viewers were developed and evaluated using a standard written UEQ in Slovenian (UEQ TXT) and a UEQ translated to Slovenian Sign Language (UEQ SSL). A total of 27 deaf participants and 6 Slovenian Sign Language interpreters participated in the study. A thorough statistical analysis of the results was conducted on both individual UEQ attributes and overall scales. The results show no statistically significant differences in evaluation results when gathered with UEQ SSL and UEQ TXT. Participants expressed a strong preference for UEQ SSL, as it enabled them to express their opinions more accurately and completely in their primary language, fostering greater independence and ensuring their perspectives are fully represented. The findings show that the UEQ SSL is a valid and effective tool, with the potential to bridge the inclusion gap for deaf and hard-of-hearing users in UX evaluation studies.

Analysis Of Moral Messages In Mother Tongue Sign Language Films

The development of technology facilitates access to information, becoming a means to convey messages to many people. One of them is film, as a popular audio-visual media that is effective in presenting messages. Making films requires ideas, concepts, and a long time to produce quality work. Many films are made every year from various sources, with various functions such as education, entertainment, motivation, and others. However, it should be noted that films can also influence the moral values of society. The conclusion of the search for moral messages, researchers found the struggle of a mother to her deaf child. The struggle carried out by the mother was to learn sign language, then with love and patience tried hard to introduce it to her child who initially refused. But in the end the child was willing to learn sign language. With the provision of sign language that the child has, the world seems wide open, he can participate in various activities, both in the deaf community and in the hearing community, even the child can have achievements as a sign language interpreter.

Benjamin's translation as dialectical abduction: a novel epistemic framework for diagnostic hypothesizing.

In this paper I present a novel understanding of diagnostic hypothesis that draws ideas from Walter Benjamin's work on translation. My framework originates from previous literature that aligns diagnostic hypothesis with Peircean 'abduction.' I argue that the abductive step, rather than being an inference to the best explanation, is a strategic conjecture that is simultaneously interrogative and interpretive. While Peirce places the burden of interpretation solely on semiotic analysis, I develop a form of dialectical abduction that draws on Benjamin's distinction between semiotic and mimetic faculties of language. I further argue that while all abduction functions through language interpretation, diagnostic abduction works not simply as interpretation but is more accurately described as the translation of patient narrative and clinician investigation into the language of clinical medicine. I then analyze diagnostic translation within the dialectical framework for translation described by Benjamin, and use this model to develop suggestions for a methodology of clinical abduction.

Key components in the professional ethics of sign language interpreters in healthcare contexts: a qualitative study in Colombia

ObjectivesTo identified the core components of professional ethics for medical sign language interpreters and develop a framework based on empirical data from Colombian sign language (CSL) interpreters.DesignPurposive and snowball sampling...

Language Concordance and Interpreter Use for Spanish-Preferring Patients: Qualitative Study of Perspectives from Primary Care Providers.

Poor quality communication and language barriers lead to worse care experiences and inferior health care outcomes for those with limited English proficiency. Fewer than one-third of outpatient providers regularly use professional interpreters when communicating with non-English preferring patients. Effective strategies to address language barriers in primary care are lacking and in demand. Examine provider perspectives on providing in-person care to Spanish-preferring patients. Partnered with a large, urban Federally Qualified Health Center predominantly caring for Spanish-preferring Hispanic patients, we identified primary care providers who (1) were language-concordant (provider and patient speak same language); (2) used qualified interpreters; and (3) used informal strategies for interpretation/communication. We interviewed 24 providers (10 language-concordant, 9 who used qualified interpreters, 5 who used informal interpreters and other strategies; response-rate 23%). We established codes using systematic, inductive procedures to generate insights from responses and identified themes using content analysis. Providers-both language-concordant and those using interpreters-preferred to speak the same language as the patient, employed varying communication strategies, and required more time to care for Spanish-preferring patients for differing reasons. Using interpreters did not always improve communication because using qualified interpreters requires more time for initiating interpretation,connectivity issues, and conducting consecutive interpretation; using any interpreter requires provider-interpreter clarification or staff to translate, and sometimes interpreters had difficulty with medical content/terminology. Provider-patient visits also qualitatively differed based on language spoken and interpreter use in eliciting concerns, topics covered, patient comprehension, and time spent on rapport-building and patient education. Providers described barriers that organizations need to address to facilitate effective communication and language interpretation when caring for Spanish-preferring patients. Research is needed that identifies and tests language support strategies for providers and clinics and structural changes that preserve time during patient visits for providers and patients to spend on health care needs.

Language Complexities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in Their Pursuit of a Career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine: Perspectives From an LSL/ASL User.

A research scientist with 35 years of experience in the field of hearing research, the author writes that his own experiences have provided a perspective that may be valuable for both future d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) individuals and their peers with typical hearing in their pursuit of a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). The author first describes the role of Hearing Inclusive-Association for Research in Otolaryngology in enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for D/HH scientists in the field of Hearing Research. Second, the challenges faced by D/HH scientists arise from the difficulties of working with peers with typical hearing, resulting in less inclusivity and accessibility for the D/HH scientists. The next section deals with solutions to these challenges, including American Sign Language interpreters, websites that give advice on inclusivity and accessibility, and technological advances such as assistive listening devices and smartphones with a capacity for auto captioning. The solutions, however, are fraught with issues such as limited budgets and misperception. Fourth, the author argues that the experiences necessary for a career in STEMM may require a higher-than-expected degree of collaboration with peers with typical hearing outside the laboratory. Finally, studies on successful D/HH scientists in STEMM fields should include experiences of obtaining successful research funding.

Automated Vehicle Regulation Needs to Speak to Code, not to Humans: Keeping Safety and Ethics in the Public Domain

Abstract In anticipation of the market introduction of highly and fully automated vehicles, regulations for their behavior in public road traffic are emerging in various countries and regions. Yet, as we show using the example of EU and German regulations, these rules are both incomplete and exceptionally vague. In this paper we introduce three traffic scenarios highlighting conflicting ethical, legal, and utility-related claims, and perform a legal analysis with regards to the expected behavior of AVs in these scenarios. We show that the existing regulatory framework disregards the realities of algorithmic decision-making in automated vehicles, such as the incomplete and imprecise perception of their environment and the probabilistic nature of their predictions. Importantly, the current regulations are written in abstract language addressing human interpreters rather than the precise logical-numerical computer code. We argue that the required interpretation and translation of the abstract legal language into the logical-numerical domain is so ambiguous that the regulations as they stand fail to guide or limit automated vehicle behavior in any meaningful way. This comes with significant ethical implications, as the interpretation and translation is unavoidable and, if not provided by regulatory bodies, will have to be performed by manufacturers. We argue that ethical decisions with significant impact on public safety must not be delegated to private companies, and thus, regulatory frameworks need significant improvements.

Real-Time Sign Language Interpretation for Inclusive Communication

Sign language plays a crucial role as a communication tool for both the deaf and hard-of- hearing communities, enabling them to engage and interact effectively within their own community as well as with others.However, communication barriers arise when individuals unfamiliar with sign language engage with those who rely on it, underscoring the need for inclusive solutions. Real-time sign language interpretation systems, leveraging machine learning and computer vision technologies, present a promising approach to bridging this gap. These systems convert sign language gestures into spoken or written language by utilizing gesture recognition algorithms, neural networks, and natural language processing. By analyzing hand movements, facial expressions, and body language, the systems provide accurate, context-aware translations of various sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), with minimal delay. This enables seamless, natural interactions, making such technologies essential for fostering inclusive communication in diverse settings. Key Words: Sign language recognition, real- time interpretation, machine learning, com- puter vision, gesture recognition, neural networks, natural language processing, communication barriers, inclusivity, American Sign Language (ASL).

Behind the Screen: An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Breast Screening Uptake in Lancashire (UK)

ABSTRACTBackgroundBreast screening uptake has improved nationally to 62% in the United Kingdom, though regionally, engagement challenges remain in northern regions such as Lancashire (54%–59%). It is important, therefore, to understand the barriers women face to enable appropriate person‐ and community‐centred engagement in health screening behaviours.ObjectivesThis study aimed to be the first mixed‐method questionnaire exploration of women in Lancashire (the United Kingdom) to explore attitudes, behaviour, awareness, barriers and facilitators to breast screening.DesignCross‐sectional cohort study.MethodThe Breast Cancer Fear Scale, modified Mammography Self‐Efficacy Scale and the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire were included in the questionnaire alongside open‐ended elements on breast screening behaviour and awareness. Registered female participants (n = 50) were provided with digital assistance or language interpretation where requested.ResultsEthnicity, faith and location all affected perceived levels of breast screening awareness, yet only age and faith influenced understanding of the process. Irrespective of protected characteristics, fear of breast cancer did not significantly vary between women. Racially minoritised women were less comfortable in removing clothing during screening. Participants reported barriers related to health awareness, patient experience, screening age and access to healthcare. Facilitators to address barriers were identified using a socioecological framework to identify key areas of development needed at an individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and public policy level.ConclusionProtected characteristics and geographical location significantly influence breast screening behaviour. Targeted person‐centred health awareness, cultural competency and inclusive practice are needed to promote awareness, remove taboos and open up dialogue and acceptance of breast cancer screening in communities. The use of the socioecological model highlighted that the responsibility to reduce barriers to breast screening in Lancashire is collective from an individual to public policy level. Further patient–public involvement would ensure adequate demographic representation and effectively investigate differences between ethnic subgroups.Patient or Public ContributionThis article captures the viewpoints of individuals with and without experience of the breast screening process in the United Kingdom. A small group of individuals from white and racially minoritised backgrounds were involved in the design of the study to ensure the suitability and acceptability of the tool.

The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Medicine.

Nuclear medicine has continuously evolved since its beginnings, constantly improving the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the latest revolutionizing chapters, promising significant advancements in diagnosis, prognosis, segmentation, image quality enhancement, and theranostics. Early AI applications in nuclear medicine focused on improving diagnostic accuracy, leveraging machine learning algorithms for disease classification and outcome prediction. Advances in deep learning, including convolutional and more recently transformer-based neural networks, have further enabled more precise diagnosis and image segmentation as well as low-dose imaging, and patient-specific dosimetry for personalized treatment. Generative AI, driven by large language models and diffusion techniques, is now allowing the process, interpretation, and generation of complex medical language and images. Despite these achievements, challenges such as data scarcity, heterogeneity, and ethical concerns remain barriers to clinical translation. Addressing these issues through interdisciplinary collaboration will pave the way for a broader adoption of AI in nuclear medicine, potentially enhancing patient care and optimizing diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes.

A Qualitatively-Informed Approach to Examining the Construct Validity of Alcohol-Involved Sexual Violence

Abstract One in five women experience sexual victimization in her lifetime, making sexual victimization a significant public health crisis. This public health crisis also has detrimental health consequences. Understanding the scope of sexual violence and the effects of prevention programming requires accuracy in measuring sexual violence. Yet, a wealth of research suggests lack of precision in sexual violence measurement and potential confusion among respondents in how to interpret items on sexual victimization and perpetration questionnaires. Specifically, alcohol-involved sexual violence questions are among the hardest to operationalize in such questionnaires, due, in part to cultural ideas about alcohol and idiosyncratic effects of alcohol on behavior. The current study addressed this gap by assessing the construct validity of alcohol-involved sexual violence questionnaire items. We used a cognitive-interviewing qualitative approach to analyze interviews with forty participants to better understand the cognitive and interpretive language nuances between “took advantage of while drunk” and being “too drunk to consent.” Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify and summarize differences in how stimuli were perceived and interpreted. Our thematic analysis identified three themes: (a) respondents used behavioral indicators as an indicator of impaired decision-making, (b) respondents perceived and expressed complexity in understanding alcohol-related consent, and (c) some respondents attributed the differences between the phrases to reflect experiences of either perpetration and victimization. The results underscore the importance of refining questionnaires using behavioral indicators of alcohol intoxication to differentiate between incapacitated and impaired alcohol-involved incidents, clarifying non-consent language, and being purposeful in describing a state or an action related to the consumption of alcohol, to better measure alcohol-involved sexual violence.