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Article published In: Translation and Interpreting Studies
Vol. 20:1 (2025) ► pp.78–104

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Promoting collaboration between interpreters and speech-language pathologists

A pilot training to support interpreter agency during aphasia assessments

ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab | Northwestern University
ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab | Northwestern University
ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
ORCiD logo with link | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab | Northwestern University
Published online: 16 June 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/tis.23095.gin
Abstract
The notion of an invisible interpreter in medical interpreting can conflict with the goals of the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) during aphasia assessment. This study trained interpreters at an urban rehabilitation hospital in the U.S. regarding the purpose of aphasia assessments, examined how their role changed to become more visible, and evaluated the preliminary impact of the training. Eight interpreters participated in two SLP aphasia assessments for native Spanish speakers with aphasia. Between the two sessions, half of the interpreters were randomly assigned to a training group. We analyzed changes in interpreter behaviors in the latter session. The untrained group showed little variation, while the trained group showed a reduction in the number of errors between time points across multiple categories. These results provide preliminary evidence that it is possible to improve interpreter-mediated aphasia assessments by training interpreters on how to shift their role to actively support SLP diagnostic goals.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Interpreters’ role, agency instead of invisibility
  • The special challenge of interpreting for speech-language pathology
  • Medical interpreter training and the focus on ensuring understanding
  • Methods
    • The training
    • Statistical analysis
  • Results
  • Discussion
    • Limitations and future directions
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
References (45)
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