Posted on 05/11/2006 9:18:15 AM PDT by Puppage
(Waterbury-WTNH, May 10, 2006 5:50 PM) _ Is there a communication gap in Waterbury?
A community group says part of the city's population is underserved at area hospitals.
Waterbury fire fighters always answer the call but on scene not everyone always speaks English.
Howard Osorio says,"Usually there is a neighbor or a child who is bilingual to help us out."
14-year-old Isomar is one of those bi-lingual kids.
Isomar says,"Since I was 8-years-old I have been translating for my mom."
She says the hardest part is at hospitals and having to translate medical jargon.
Isomar says,"It's just really embarrassing for me to have to tell the doctor about things about her and even some of the words I don't understand what they are saying."
In Waterbury alone there are over 40 different languages spoken so the Naugatuck Valley Project is asking hospitals to improve the translation system by providing trained, interpreters in person.
Elizabeth Rosa, Naugatuck Valley Project, says,"It's not about catering to them its about getting people the adequate health care."
Isomar says,"If I say something wrong and something happens to my mom I'm going to feel really guilty about it."
Most hospitals rely on bilingual staff members or volunteers. Most also have mechanical interpreting devices or a sort of bilingual conference call.
Rosa says,"You want to have the phone system available fine - but also there are ways to be able to get funds to get hospitals working together for a better system in the valley."
Isomar says her mother's English has gotten better but she still finds herself deciphering and translating what the doctor or nurse is saying.
Oh, you silly. Hispanic last name=Mexican=Illegal. Didn't you get the memo? ;-)
Of course, there are also the Portuguese, Italians, Romanians, Mexicans, Ukrainians....
No, I'm not happy. I'll be happy when immigrants are no longer treated like ****.
Sorry - I obviously missed it.:)
Especially if you're a bullet!!
Are we referring to legal immigrants or illegal aliens?
We are referring to people who need interpretors.
"Are we referring to legal immigrants or illegal aliens?"
We are refering to THEY and or THEM, as opposed to US. Didn1t you get the memo?
I know lots of old-timer Americans that need a staff member to explain to them what the Doc is saying. Shall we send them to Mexico?
That didn't make any sense.
Better?
I'm confused. The original statement referred to "immigrants." All I want is clarification of whether, in your view, this term distinguishes between people who come here legally and those who come illegally. Thanks.
To me, immigrants are immigrants.
Do you distinguish between those who come legally and those who come illegally?
The only thing I distinguish is if they are Muslims.
"Rosa should always send them to a veterinarian. Dogs and cats don't talk but they still get treated."
Thats right because those who dont speak english are no better than animals.
14-year-old Isomar is one of those bi-lingual kids.
Isomar says,"Since I was 8-years-old I have been translating for my mom."
So, for the last six years his mother hasn't managed to learn some basic English?
I know this for a fact, that you don't have to speak the language in order to help someone, a person or an animal. Do you in your infinite wisdom think that the majority of nurses and doctors in the U.S. speak Spanish? They don't. How do you think the illegals had so many anchor babies? The anchor babies are delivered by English speaking doctors. They more than anything else wanted that anchor baby so they didn't demand a translator. Now that the anchor baby is interpreting for them suddenly they need someone to translate. Give me a break.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.