In handling a translation, what must the interpreter avoid doing?

• A. Verifying patient understanding is optional.
• B. Always add personal interpretations to improve clarity.
• C. What you must avoid is adding, omitting, or altering content.
• D. You should summarize content with your own words.

Answer: (C)

Fidelity to the original message is essential. In handling a translation, you must not add, omit, or alter content. A faithful rendering means conveying exactly what was said, including terms, numbers, and patient or provider statements, without injecting your own beliefs, interpretations, or omissions that change meaning. If something is unclear, you seek clarification or ask for repetition to confirm understanding rather than supplying your own interpretation. Summarizing or rephrasing with your own words can distort meaning, so it’s not appropriate as a substitute for accurate rendering. Verifying understanding with the patient or clinician is part of ensuring accuracy, not optional.