Removing Language Barriers: Reaching Your Spanish Speaking Audience Communications Tune Up Webinar Series MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy Translation Services Group Mercedes Blanco Victoria Williams August 15, 2014 1
Why translate? 2
Benefits of translation Makes communication possible Improves health literacy Reduces barriers to health care 3
Spanish speaking population National Hispanic Heritage Week, 1968 58 million Hispanics, 2012 Nation s largest ethnic minority 17% of U.S. population 4
Characteristics of Hispanic culture Do all Hispanics share the same culture? Which is the most prevalent? Are there any shared characteristics of Hispanics? 5
The intangibles English speaker Spanish speaker 6
How many people really need translation? Demographics have changed The number is growing every day 7
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What happens when health care consumers don t have access to translations? No or little access to needed services Need to depend on intermediaries Less privacy 9
Translation bridges the gap 10
What do we mean by translation? Is translation the process of finding an equivalent word in the target language for each word in the original document? 11
Word-for-word/literal translations Common problems in translations Literacy level Use of false cognates Grammatical errors, misspellings, accents, punctuation marks Cultural appropriateness 12
Word-for-word literal translations Adapt! Read carefully Understand the content Use common words to express the concepts 13
Adaptation Adaptation is the translator s ability to read and understand the source text, and then translate using vocabulary and a writing style that members of the target audience are likely to understand. 14
Implies writer s attitude toward subject and audience Why is tone important? Established by words, phrases, images Persuades, educates, informs Speaks directly to audience Varies by content 15
Can she write well? How can I find a translator who can adapt? Does he know something about the field? Does she understand the target audience? Is he aware of cultural nuances? Can she create meaningful examples and images? 16
Literacy Level Among Hispanics Level 1 Level 2 Mexicans 54% 25% Cubans 46% 20% Puerto Ricans 51% 58% Central and South Americans 53% 25% Other Hispanics 31% 25% 17
Use plain language to address health literacy Common words Short sentences Friendly tone 18
Native speaker 19
What else should I keep in mind? Style Consistency 20
Use of false cognates (false friends) Application is often translated as aplicación Aplicación means assignment Instead, use solicitud 21
Grammatical errors For clients in the city of Chicago, if the box below is checked it applies to you or someone in your assistance unit. Para los clientes de la ciudad de Chicago, si el encasillado de abajo fue marcado, significa que se aplica a usted o su unidad de asistencia. 22
Use appropriate examples: Cultural appropriateness The doctor sent the patient to the Ob Gyn. El médico envió a la paciente a ver al doctor de señoras. 23
Is the image culturally appropriate? 24
Formatting 25
Expansion English This document can be provided upon request in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities. Other formats may include (but are not limited to) large print, Braille, audio recordings, Web-based communications and other electronic formats. Email altformat.app@state.or.us, or call 1-800-699-9075 (voice) or TTY 711 to arrange for the alternative format that will work best for you. You can get this application in another language or you can get an interpreter. Call 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711. Spanish Podemos proporcionar, sobre pedido, este documento en formatos alternativos para personas con discapacidades. Estos formatos pueden ser (entre otros ) impresos en letras grades, Braille, grabaciones de audio, comunicaciones en internet y otros formatos electronicos. Envíe un email a altformat.app@state.or.us o llame al 1-800-699-9075 o al TTY 711 para pedir el formato más conveniente para usted. También puede recibir esta solicitud en otros idomas o puede obtener un intérprete. Llame al 1-800-699-9075 (TTY 711) para obtener la solicitude en el idioma más conveniente para usted. 26
Error free Make your expectations clear Fifth grade level Appropriate examples Images that speak to the audience Friendly, encouraging tone 27
Field test Watch Ask Listen Final words of advice 28
Thank you! 29
Thoughts and Questions 30
You can revisit this and previous webinars at maximus.com/webinars. 31
For copies of one or more of these manuals produced by the Center for Health Literacy, send an email to: healthliteracy@maximus.com 32
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Thoughts and Questions 34
healthliteracy @maximus.com 35