CoreCHI key terms

A trained professional who orally conveys messages between a patient and a health care provider who do not share a common language, preserving meaning, tone, and register without adding or omitting content.

An interpreting stance in which the interpreter transmits each speaker's utterance faithfully in the first person, without advising, summarizing, or speaking on behalf of either party.

A technique in which the interpreter speaks as though voicing the original speaker, using that speaker's pronouns and tone so the parties address each other directly rather than the interpreter.

A technique in which the interpreter reports what a speaker said using reported-speech phrasing, often creating distance between patient and provider; generally discouraged in clinical encounters.

The limits on what an interpreter does during an assignment, such as not performing clinical tasks, giving medical advice, or acting as a family member's spokesperson, agreed in advance with the care team.

A limited, transparent intervention in which the interpreter alerts the care team to a barrier affecting patient safety or access, such as a missing consent or an unmet language need, then returns to the interpreting role.

Explaining or bridging cultural differences in health beliefs, communication norms, or practices so that patient and provider understand each other, done with permission and without stereotyping the individual patient.

The ability to recognize how culture, language, faith, and social context shape a patient's health behavior, and to adapt communication accordingly without assuming traits based on group membership.

Unconscious associations that can influence how a person perceives and treats others, potentially affecting clinical decisions and interpreter judgments about a patient's credibility, pain, or adherence.

Assuming that an individual holds particular beliefs, behaviors, or abilities because of their nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, or language, rather than learning about the person directly.

The legal and organizational obligation to provide meaningful communication for people with limited English proficiency or sensory disabilities, typically through qualified interpreters and translated materials at no cost to the patient.

A designation for a person who does not speak English as a primary language and has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, triggering rights to language assistance.

The federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin by programs receiving federal funds, which courts and agencies apply to language access obligations.

An untrained person, such as a family member, friend, or untrained staff member, used to interpret; associated with higher risk of error, omission, and confidentiality breaches and generally discouraged.

A person who has demonstrated proficiency in both languages and competence in medical interpreting, for example through training, testing, or certification, and who adheres to professional ethics.

Formal recognition, granted by a credentialing body after examination and training requirements are met, that an interpreter has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required for clinical practice.

Ongoing training and learning required to maintain interpreting credentials and keep current with terminology, ethics, and clinical practice changes over a career.

Conveying the full meaning of a message, including register, tone, and intent, without adding, omitting, softening, or distorting information, even when the content is uncomfortable.

Faithfulness to the source message so that the target-language rendering produces the same understanding and effect for the listener as the original would for a speaker of the source language.

Leaving out part of a speaker's message, such as a qualifier, a question, or an uncomfortable detail; an error that can change clinical decisions and patient safety.

Inserting information, explanation, or advice that a speaker did not say; an error that shifts the interpreter into the provider or patient role and can mislead the care team.

The level of formality, technicality, and emotional tone a speaker uses, which the interpreter should match so that, for example, a physician's reassurance does not sound like a warning.

Clear, everyday wording that makes health information easy to understand; interpreters may use it only when the original speaker does, since simplifying on their own changes the message.

A person's ability to obtain and understand health information needed to make decisions; limited health literacy affects patients of any language and shapes how messages should be explained by the provider.

A provider technique of asking the patient to restate instructions in their own words to confirm understanding; the interpreter conveys both the request and the patient's response faithfully.

Rendering a written document orally into the other language in real time, used for forms, instructions, or consent text, and distinct from the written work of a translator.

Converting written text from one language to another in a written form; a separate skill from interpreting, usually requiring its own training and quality review.

Written materials essential to accessing care or making decisions, such as consent forms, discharge instructions, and medication guides, which should be translated for patients with limited English proficiency.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after understanding its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives; the interpreter must convey this exchange completely and without pressure.

The duty to keep all information learned during an assignment private, discussing it only with authorized persons and never in public spaces, elevators, or with the patient's family without permission.

The federal health privacy law that governs how covered entities and their business associates, which may include contracted interpreters, may use and disclose protected health information.

Individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a covered entity, including names, dates, diagnoses, and any data that could reveal who the patient is.

The HIPAA principle that only the information needed for a specific purpose should be accessed, shared, or requested, limiting exposure of patient data to what the task requires.

The practice of treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using barriers such as gloves, gowns, and eye protection for every exposure risk, regardless of a patient's known status.

Barriers such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns worn to prevent contact with infectious material; interpreters should have access to the same PPE as clinical staff when entering risk areas.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at defined moments, such as before and after patient contact, as the single most effective way to prevent transmission of infection.

Extra infection-control measures, such as gowns, masks, or dedicated equipment, required for patients with certain transmissible conditions; interpreters must follow them and may interpret from outside the room when safe.

An accidental puncture by a contaminated needle or sharp; an interpreter who sustains one should wash the area, report it immediately, and follow the facility's post-exposure protocol.

The prevention of harm to patients during care, which interpreters support by conveying messages completely, flagging communication breakdowns, and following infection-control and identification procedures.

A situation in which a personal, family, financial, or community relationship could compromise the interpreter's neutrality, such as interpreting for a relative or for someone known socially.

The interpreter's stance of remaining neutral and not taking sides, avoiding personal opinions, and treating all parties with equal respect regardless of the patient's background or the nature of the case.

The range of activities an interpreter is trained and authorized to perform, which excludes clinical assessment, diagnosis, counseling, and other duties reserved for licensed health professionals.

A structured conversation after a difficult or distressing assignment, held with a supervisor or trusted colleague without revealing identifying patient details, to process the experience and plan support.

Emotional and psychological strain that can build up from repeated exposure to others' trauma and suffering through interpreting, which may require self-care, peer support, or professional help.

A brief conversation before the encounter in which the interpreter introduces themselves, confirms the parties will speak directly to each other, and clarifies logistics, roles, and any special needs.

Any factor that disrupts communication, such as side conversations, background noise, overlapping speech, or a provider addressing the interpreter instead of the patient, which the interpreter should politely manage.

A memory aid in which the interpreter jots short symbols, numbers, and key words during long utterances, then discards the notes after the assignment to protect patient privacy.

Interpreting after a speaker pauses, often in short segments, which is the standard mode for most clinical encounters and allows time for note-taking and clarification.

Rendering speech into the other language almost at the same moment the speaker talks, used in longer monologues or group settings and requiring intense concentration.

Asking a speaker to repeat, explain, or restate something unclear so the message can be rendered accurately; a legitimate professional move rather than an admission of incompetence.