LANG 3065 Medical Interpreting (UG)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100197

Coordinator Eva Melhem Opens in new window

Description This unit aims to develop students' skills in interpreting at the professional level (formerly NAATI Level 3) through the modes of dialogue interpreting, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation in the domain of health services. Lectures are held in English for students of all languages. The tutorials are language specific in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Translating and Interpreting

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Assumed Knowledge

Bilingual competence in English and one of the languages offered by the School for the interpreting and translation programs.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. interpret a dialogue with segments of up to 60 words in length, in simulated triangular medical situations;
  2. interpret accurately over the phone or via video-link in medical/health settings;
  3. sight-translate documents such as medical papers, consent forms, information sheets, into both languages;
  4. interpret consecutively into both languages, passages of up to 300 words in length;
  5. interpret simultaneously into both languages, medical conference material as well as doctor's consultations with mental health patients
  6. acquire an understanding of doctor-patient communication in the Australian context
  7. apply essential knowledge of medical language, its history and etymology, and use the vocabulary relating to advanced medical matters;
  8. explain the ethical and cultural considerations of Health Care Interpreters;
  9. apply knowledge of the Australian medical system and of the medical system in the country/ies where the student's other language is spoken;
  10. demonstrate the skills to recognise prefixes, suffixes and root words, identify their meanings and build words, and identify words used with pathological conditions.

Subject Content

The history and main features of medical language
Theory and practice of simultaneous interpreting in medical settings
Theory and practice of dialogue interpreting in medical settings
Theory and practice of consecutive interpreting in medical settings
Theory and practice of telephone and video-link interpreting in medical/health settings
Theory and practice of sight translation of medical documents
Basic concepts and vocabulary relating to advanced medical matters
Knowledge relating to working as a Health Care Interpreter
Knowledge relating to the role and ethics of a Health Care Interpreter
Knowledge relating to the Health Care systems of Australia
Medical Terminology: prefixes, suffixes, and root words

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Professional tasks TBA 50 N Individual
Intra-session examination 30 to 40 minutes 40 N Individual
Quiz 1 hour 10 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Spring

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

Day

Subject Contact Eva Melhem Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Structures that include subject