NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Sight Translation Techniques Questions and Answers

Question 1

A physician hands an interpreter a one-page, pre-operative instruction sheet with several paragraphs and asks them to sight translate it for the patient.
What is the interpreter's most appropriate first step before beginning the translation?

Accepted Answer

Ask for a few moments to scan the document for comprehension and unfamiliar terminology.

Answer

Immediately begin translating sentence by sentence to save time.

Answer

Ask the physician to summarize the document's key points first.

Answer

Hand the document to the patient to read along while the interpreter translates.

Question 2

Which of the following documents is generally considered inappropriate for a medical interpreter to sight translate?

Accepted Answer

A multi-page 'Informed Consent for a Clinical Trial' form.

Answer

An appointment reminder card with the date and time.

Answer

The directions on a bottle of over-the-counter pain medication.

Answer

A one-page list of post-operative activity restrictions.

Question 3

When performing sight translation, an interpreter encounters a complex sentence with multiple clauses. What is the most effective technique to ensure the patient understands the information accurately?

Accepted Answer

Break the complex sentence into two or more shorter, simpler sentences in the target language while preserving the original meaning.

Answer

Translate the sentence word-for-word to maintain fidelity to the source text's structure.

Answer

Skip the sentence and ask the provider to re-explain it in simpler terms.

Answer

Summarize the main idea of the sentence in the interpreter's own words.

Question 4

A patient's family member brings in a dense, two-page letter from an insurance company denying coverage and asks the interpreter to sight translate it during a clinical appointment. The provider is not present. What is the interpreter's most professional course of action?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline, explaining that the document is outside the scope of a medical appointment and recommend they seek a professional written translation service.

Answer

Agree to translate the document to be helpful to the distressed family.

Answer

Translate only the first paragraph to give them the general idea.

Answer

Ask the family member to wait until the provider arrives to get their permission to translate it.

Question 5

What is the primary reason an interpreter should maintain a steady, even pace and avoid rushing during sight translation?

Accepted Answer

To allow the listener adequate time to process the information being read to them.

Answer

To give the interpreter more time to think of the correct words.

Answer

To make the translation sound more professional and authoritative.

Answer

To ensure every single word from the source document is included.

Question 6

An interpreter is sight translating a medication information sheet. They come across the acronym 'q.i.d.' which they know means 'four times a day.' Which of the following is the best way to render this?

Accepted Answer

Translate the meaning as 'four times a day' in the target language.

Answer

Read the letters 'q.i.d.' aloud and hope the patient understands.

Answer

Stop the translation and ask the provider what 'q.i.d.' means.

Answer

Say the Latin phrase 'quater in die' in the target language.