Browsing by Subject "maahanmuuttaja"

This master's thesis explored the activities of interpreters used by immigrants in Finnish health care. The main aim was to find out the actual roles of interpreters in working life and how these roles compare and contrast with the roles defined in interpreters` professional code of practice. Additionally, this study explored: what are the most important roles and competencies in the interpreters work from their own perspective and how they perceive their impartiality and proficiency. The interpreters` professional code of practice, Forsander`s (1996) study on interpreters roles and Jalbert`s (1998) classification of interpreter roles were used as a theoretical background of this study. Structured interviews were conducted among interpreters (n=32) working in metropolitan Helsinki. The interpreters were recruited from one interpretation center employing altogether 60 interpreters. The interview guide was based on a previous literature and included questions on interpreters work: their professional code of practice, roles, skills and competencies needed in working life. Interpreters perceived that the role of oral translator, cultural brokers and social role of the various expert institutions were the most important roles in their work. The least important roles were: the role of witnesses, counselor, and an additional source of information. The interpreters reported that they need special support and training in their work. This training should be organized conjointly both with native Finns and other cultures representatives. A shared understanding between different cultures can also be in focus in interpreter services. Similarly with previous studies, language and communication difficulties were found as a major challenge in Finnish health care. Interpreters highlighted that they customers are commonly dissatisfied with the health care due to a continuous rush and lack of time, and attitudes of health care personnel. Immigrants were satisfied with maternity clinic services and high level of technology applied in Finnish healthcare. Interpreters also mentioned that healthcare professionals` cultural skills and experiences are varying: the more they have experience of immigrants, the easier is communication. Interpreters perceived that the majority of healthcare professionals were positive to immigrants and were interested in developing their own cultural competencies. The roles reported by interpreters were in line with the roles defined in interpreters` professional code of practice. Additionally, the characteristics of a competent interpreter as mentioned in the code of practice were also perceived as important among interpreters. This research highlighted the need for cultural education among health care professionals.