Launer J
Br Med J. 1978 Sep 30;2(6142):934-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6142.934.
Consultations through interpreters in the medical outpatient department of a Nigerian hospital were tape-recorded. These recordings were translated completely into English and transcribed, and the performance of the interpreters was analysed. The interpreters often did not provide word-for-word translations of what the doctor or patient had said. Some of these deviations were helpful, but others were confusing or incorrect. In particular, interpreters were inclined to conduct much of the consultations themselves. Hospitals using interpreters should ensure that they have no conflicting duties during consultations and that they have some training in language and interpretation. The quality of interpretation should be checked by native-speaking doctors and by using recordings. Doctors using interpreters should try to make sure that everything said is translated and check the patient's answers by asking questions in several ways.
在尼日利亚一家医院的门诊部门，通过口译员进行的会诊被录音。这些录音被完整翻译成英文并转录，然后对口译员的表现进行分析。口译员常常没有逐字翻译医生或患者所说的内容。其中一些偏差是有帮助的，但其他一些则令人困惑或不正确。特别是，口译员倾向于自己主导大部分会诊过程。使用口译员的医院应确保他们在会诊期间没有相互冲突的职责，并且他们接受过一些语言和口译方面的培训。口译质量应由母语为英语的医生并通过使用录音来检查。使用口译员的医生应尽量确保所说的一切都被翻译，并通过多种方式提问来核实患者的回答。
