Children acting as interpreters

‘I hate interpreting for my parents. I don’t always know the proper words so I  make it up.’ IntroductionMany children, including asylum seekers and refugees, act as informal interpreters for their parents when... [ view full abstract ]

‘I hate interpreting for my parents. I don’t always know the proper words so I  make it up.’

Introduction

Many children, including asylum seekers and refugees, act as informal interpreters for their parents when interacting with health/social services,  and the local community.

Objective/method

To conduct a literature review looking at the advantages/disadvantages of using children as interpreters

Results

Disadvantages:

• Children may lack the fluency in both languages/emotional maturity to act as a linguistic and cultural mediator

• May have little knowledge of medical terminology and be unable to translate anatomical details/concepts of diagnosis/treatment

• They may provide inaccurate information/withhold information to suit their views

• They may be exposed to disturbing information eg domestic abuse

• They may have to give ‘bad news’ to their parents

• Children may be asked to maintain confidentiality - keeping 'secrets' may place an unfair burden of responsibility on them

• Potentially an altered dynamic in the parent/child relationship through role reversal

• The child may miss school to attend appointments

   

  Advantages:

• The consultation can go ahead if a child is present/willing to interpret

• The child will speak the same dialect

• Some parents prefer to use their children as interpreters as they are concerned about confidentiality if an interpreter from their local community is involved

• Interpreting may improve a child’s self-esteem

• Children will learn how to access health care for themselves

   

  Conclusion

  Although it is recommended that children do not act as interpreters, it can be argued that with limited availability of professional interpreters, children are acceptable if the consultation is likely to be straightforward. There is often a need to proceed with a consultation, this priority over-riding the reluctance to involve a child. At the same clinicians express an ideological opposition to this, the added responsibility potentially denying the child their right to a worry-free childhood (Cohen, 1999).