This Saturday is International Translation Day. We spoke to Mili Plecic, Manager of Language Services, and Kim-Long Thi To, one of our Interpreters, to make sure the significant work of the Language Services team doesn’t get lost in translation.
(left: Kim-Long Thi To, Interpreter, at our Length of Service Awards 2022)
“Translators are what binds different worlds together,” says Mili. “Translation is a diverse profession that includes the translation of a literary work, professional translation, interpretation, and terminology.
“International Translation Day aims to pay tribute to the work of language professionals all around the world.”
Monash Health’s Language Services (MHLS) caters for over one hundred languages. MHLS employs inhouse and casual interpreters, and outsources interpreters when needed.
“The MHLS has been very busy with the ever-increasing number of patients who require language assistance,” Kim-Long says. “Our staff work diligently day and night to provide the services in times for non-urgent and urgent bookings.
“Interpreters at Monash Health possess multi-tasking skills. Apart from carrying out their interpreting assignments they also assist in admin tasks such as handling the booking system, recording and receiving incoming telephone calls.”
Kim-Long likens the role of interpreting to a tennis ball bouncing between two players. “The players hit the ball to-and-fro, each time applying certain force, spin, shape to the ball which is received by the other player who would then return the ball with their own intentions, and a good quality ball would allow clear intentions to be perceived. Likewise, interpreters work between physicians and patients, applying their language skills to facilitate communication between physicians and patients. The tennis ball can translate the way the players hit it; however, the difference is that it cannot show emotion nor sympathy as the interpreter can!”
To celebrate International Translation Day and the hard work of the Language Services team, Kim-Long Thi To composed the following poem:
Inspiration
Interpreter! Interpreter!
Can you come to help?
Yes Sir, I’m right here to help.
Interpreter! Interpreter!
Can you come to help?
Yes Madam, I’m here at your service.
Running from clinic to clinic,
being with patients who have language barrier.
When they are in pain and crying
I try to comfort them with my empathy.
Seeing medical teams and clerks
with smiling faces towards patients
has inspired me.
In complicated situation
doctors, therapists, and nurses
are under stress, so I am.
When a message being delivered,
both parties are well communicated,
satisfaction I can get.
I always try my best
to accomplish my mission.
That is professionalism,
for all of us,
who are involved in Monash Health.
Approved by Cassie Moore, General Manager