Linguistic and cultural bridges in healthcare: analysis of the role of professional interpreters in contexts involving languages of lesser diffusion

Abstract

This research paper analyses the linguistic and intercultural barriers perceived by professional interpreters working in the Spanish healthcare sector, with particular attention to the impact of these obstacles on the care provided to speakers of languages of lesser diffusion (LLS), a group that is often vulnerable due to a lack of specific resources. From the perspective of public service interpreting, the study examines the extent to which these barriers have an impact on clinical communication and, therefore, patient safety and the quality of interaction between healthcare staff and non-Spanish-speaking patients.

In order to obtain data, a field study was conducted based on a semi-structured survey addressed to healthcare interpreters, collecting information on their professional profile, intercultural training, and experiences, to identify recurrent difficulties at both the linguistic and cultural levels, as well as limitations stemming from the lack of institutional resources and specialized training. The results show that intercultural barriers play a central role in healthcare encounters and have a particularly significant impact on speakers of LLS, due to factors such as the scarcity of training resources and the limited availability of specialized interpreters.