I'd like to join the discussion about translating health care information for patients who don't speak English ("Speaking up for Medical Interpreters," Letters, March 2008).* Although it may seem more convenient to ask a bystander who speaks the patient's language to translate, an untrained translator may not convey the full message or may inadvertently pass on misinformation.

Even though Spanish is my first language, I feel professional medical interpreters need to be utilized. I speak Mexican-Spanish, which is very different from Cuban-, Puerto Rican-, or Colombian-Spanish. Medical interpreters are trained to provide the most accurate word-for-word translation. Let's not do a disservice to our patients by placing others in the uncomfortable position of translating for us just to save a few minutes.

-HILDA AVALOS

Nursing Student

Perris, Calif.

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