A Comparative Study Of Professional Medical Interpreters And Friend Interpreters From The Perspective Of Patients

This thesis presents a comparative study of professional medical interpreters and friend interpreters. Based on on-site observations and data analysis, the author discusses in detail the merits and demerits of both kinds of interpreters and foreign patients’ opinions about them, and then makes some suggestions on how China’s medical system should deal with the current situation of medical interpreting.In the first chapter, the author explains the rationale for the choice of the subject matter, the research questions and the method of data collection for this study. The second chapter gives a general introduction to medical interpreting and medical interpreters, which includes brief discussions about the definition, development, features, and necessity of medical interpreting, as well as the composition, the role and the general situation of medical interpreters in China. The third chapter explains the methodology for this study. Chapter4and Chapter5present detailed data analysis, and elucidate differences between professional medical interpreters and friend interpreters, including their role perceptions, their ways of speaking on behalf of patients, and their attitudes toward doubt clarification.From the perspective of patients, professional medical interpreters have positive effects on cross-language medical encounters by, for instance, mediating doctor-patient relationships, advocating for patients, etc. Nevertheless, as they are in pressing demand, they usually charge high fees for their services, and they are not easily available. By contrast, friend interpreters are usually available and often provide services free of charge. They can not only assist patients through the medical encounter, but also help deal with related issues before and after the medical encounter. However, their quality of interpreting and their interference in medical encounters may pose certain risks on the health care outcome.As both kinds of interpreters have their own advantages and disadvantages, the decision to use which type of interpreter depends on actual circumstances. The most important thing, this thesis argues, is to make sure that China’s medical system can provide satisfactory medical service to foreign patients, and that doctors can cooperate well with both kinds of interpreters.