Ep. 22 - Razan Roumany - The Incredible Journey of a Medical Interpreter

SummaryIn this episode of the Found in Interpretation podcast, hosts Alain Breton and Brian Bickford engage with Razan Roumany, a medical interpreter with a rich background in languages and a passion for helping others. Razan shares her journey from aspiring medical professional to interpreter, detailing her experiences in labor and delivery settings, as well as her work with trauma-affected children. The conversation delves into the challenges of training during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of building trust with clients, and the emotional toll of interpreting in sensitive situations. Razan emphasizes the need for self-care and coping mechanisms for interpreters, highlighting the human aspect of their work. In this conversation, Razan Roumany shares her experiences as a medical interpreter, discussing the emotional challenges and rewards of working with trauma patients. She emphasizes the importance of finding purpose in her work, the role of interpreters in medical settings, and the complexities of navigating difficult situations. The discussion also touches on her experiences in prison interpretation and the impact of AI on the future of interpretation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Razan Roumany03:09 Razan's Journey into Medical Interpretation06:04 The Impact of COVID on Training08:52 Experiences in Labor and Delivery Interpretation11:56 Mental Health and Trauma Interpretation15:00 Building Trust with Young Clients17:51 Coping Mechanisms for Interpreters20:59 Conclusion and Reflections on Interpretation22:03 Finding Purpose in Trauma Care25:05 The Role of Interpreters in Medical Settings29:57 Navigating Complex Situations as an Interpreter34:59 Experiences in Prison Interpretation39:53 The Future of Interpretation in the Age of AI