DHS
Language Services Resource
FINAL Draft
MAY 2006
A title enters the first scene, supporting the vision:
Welcome to my home
7. Interpreting in the home environment
The title slides off screen as we observe WEI, an elderly Chinese woman, burns incense in front of an
image of Kwan Yin, a female Buddhist god of compassion.
SCENE #7a
SUBURBAN STREET.
#7a
We look out of the window of the living room, past the incense smoke to see YANG walking across the
road on the street.
KATHY:
In many circumstances, home visits present the worker and the interpreter with completely different
challenges. In this scenario, Stella, a district nurse needs to make a home visit to an elderly Chinese
woman. She arranges to meet the interpreter, Yang, outside the front of the patient’s house...
SCENE #7b
HOUSE EXTERIOR
#7b
The camera moves back from a corner street to reveal YANG, a male Chinese-speaking interpreter.
YANG checks his watch and looks up to see a car pull up on the street.
STELLA, a district health nurse, gets out of her car and greets YANG. YANG walks away from the house
and up to STELLA’s car.
STELLA:
Hello, Yang? Sorry I’m late.
YANG:
Hi Stella.
DHS
Language Services Resource
FINAL Draft
MAY 2006
STELLA:
Did you drive?
YANG:
Got the tram – I live in Northcote.
STELLA:
Nice and close. Thanks for coming a little earlier.
YANG:
Who are we meeting today?
STELLA:
Her name is Wei. She is a very traditional Chinese lady. Lives on her own.
YANG:
Has there been a death in the family?
STELLA:
Wei is mourning the death of her sister. How did you know?
YANG:
The white candle burning next to her door. (points).
STELLA:
Oh I see. I had no idea what it meant.
YANG:
What do you want to discuss today?
STELLA:
DHS
Language Services Resource
FINAL Draft
MAY 2006
Well, the main reason we are here is to talk to Wei about her health. She has been experiencing dizzy
spells, headaches and memory loss recently. She hasn’t had a check-up for a while, so I want to check
her blood pressure and ask her about her dizzy spells
YANG:
Okay. Anything else I need to know?
STELLA:
I don’t think so. Let’s go inside.
STELLA and YANG walk through the gate and into the front garden.
SCENE #7c
HOUSE INTERIOR - LIVING ROOM
#7c
WEI opens her front door to find STELLA and YANG standing before her. There are shoes lined up
neatly outside the door.
STELLA (to WEI):
Would you like us to leave our shoes outside?
YANG interprets STELLA’S question.
WEI (in Mandarin)
No. There’s no need. Please come inside.
YANG interprets WEI’S reply.
STELLA and YANG follow WEI into the living room where a Chinese man, aged 40-50, sits at a table.
The man, RAYMOND, gets up and walks towards STELLA.
RAYMOND:
Hello, I am Raymond. Wei is my mother.
STELLA and YANG greet RAYMOND. RAYMOND beckons the two away from his mother – now sitting
on a sofa.
DHS
Language Services Resource
FINAL Draft
MAY 2006
RAYMOND:
I can help interpret….how long do you think this will take?
STELLA and YANG look at each other.
STELLA:
Thanks but we arranged for Yang to interpret today – he is a professional interpreter and understands
the case.
RAYMOND:
Understands the case? She is my mother. I know more about my mother than this man does.
STELLA:
Yes of course. I didn’t mean to upset or offend you but I am a nurse and I need a professional interpreter
to help understand what is wrong with your mother.
RAYMOND frowns.
STELLA:
I am happy for you to be here and I think it would help your mother relax but I do need Yang to interpret
– is this okay?
RAYMOND nods.
WEI looks up at the group from her sofa as STELLA, YANG and RAYMOND walk over
STELLA:
Perhaps if we bring our chairs a little closer, it will make it easier to communicate.
YANG translates what has been said to WEI.
Fade to black…
DHS
Language Services Resource
FINAL Draft
MAY 2006
KATHY V/O AND 100%
(Supported by vision/freeze frames/graphics)
Many interpreting sessions occur within the home or an unfamiliar environment. The skills required for
working with an interpreter remain the same, but there are a number of specific techniques that need to
be employed to suit each environment. When scheduling an interpreting session within a person’s
home, always arrange a briefing session with the interpreter prior to entering the premises. Think about
where you can talk in relative privacy so as not alarm the resident you are visiting or a suspicious
neighbour. A quick brief provides an opportunity for you discuss the material to be covered with the
interpreter prior to meeting the client and to discuss any relevant individual or cultural sensitivities with
the interpreter. Once inside the home, it is important to find a balance between respecting the wishes of
the owner/occupier and asserting your role as facilitator of the interpreting session and maintaining
control of any unexpected occurrences or distractions is integral in communicating clearly with your
client.