Roles of the Medical Interpreter Exam
Questions and Answers
LEP patient - Answer-Limited English Proficient patient
Purpose of interpreter - Answer-To facilitate understanding in communication between people
who are speaking two different languages.
4 Barriers to Communication - Answer-Linguistic barriers, barriers of register, cultural barriers,
systemic barriers.
Linguistic barriers - Answer-Differences in spoken language. Provider and patient do not speak
enough of each other's languages to facilitate easy communication.
Barriers of register - Answer-Differences in the level of formality or complexity of language. Ex:
medical terminology
Cultural barriers - Answer-Differences that lead to conflicting expectations of behavior, affecting
both the meaning of the communication and the quality of the care. Ex: Different cultural beliefs
about health and healing; different cultural beliefs about doctor's authority and patients'
autonomy.
Systemic barriers - Answer-Differences in health care systems, racism, and difficulties
navigating the health care system.
4 Roles of the Interpreter - Answer-Conduit, Clarifier, Culture broker, Advocate
Conduit - Answer-The interpreter is simply saying in the target language what the speaker said
in the source language.
Clarifier - Answer-The interpreter makes something that was said more clearly understandable.
Interpreter has to intervene in the conversation and speak with their own voice.
Questions and Answers
LEP patient - Answer-Limited English Proficient patient
Purpose of interpreter - Answer-To facilitate understanding in communication between people
who are speaking two different languages.
4 Barriers to Communication - Answer-Linguistic barriers, barriers of register, cultural barriers,
systemic barriers.
Linguistic barriers - Answer-Differences in spoken language. Provider and patient do not speak
enough of each other's languages to facilitate easy communication.
Barriers of register - Answer-Differences in the level of formality or complexity of language. Ex:
medical terminology
Cultural barriers - Answer-Differences that lead to conflicting expectations of behavior, affecting
both the meaning of the communication and the quality of the care. Ex: Different cultural beliefs
about health and healing; different cultural beliefs about doctor's authority and patients'
autonomy.
Systemic barriers - Answer-Differences in health care systems, racism, and difficulties
navigating the health care system.
4 Roles of the Interpreter - Answer-Conduit, Clarifier, Culture broker, Advocate
Conduit - Answer-The interpreter is simply saying in the target language what the speaker said
in the source language.
Clarifier - Answer-The interpreter makes something that was said more clearly understandable.
Interpreter has to intervene in the conversation and speak with their own voice.
