Healthcare interpreters dedicate substantial time to mastering medical terminology and navigating the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system—and for good reason. But not every clinical encounter is packed with technical language. Healthcare conversations often include small talk, personal stories, jokes, idioms, and cultural references—elements that reflect the speaker’s personality, mood, and even key details about their health. While idioms might seem secondary to medical facts, they can convey essential information about a patient’s experience or progress.
This interactive 2-hour class will provide interpreters with practical strategies for recognizing and rendering idioms and cultural references accurately and appropriately. Participants will have the opportunity to apply these strategies in guided group exercises and will leave with a curated list of resources for continued learning and practice.
Learning Goals:
After attending this class, the participants will
● Become familiar with the concept of idioms and cultural references and to understand the need for developing strategies for dealing with such linguistic phenomena
● Develop appropriate strategies for interpreting idioms and cultural references
● Engage in meaningful practice that would allow them to develop the newly acquired skills
Date: Saturday, May 16th, 2026
CCHI 3 CE Hours ATA 3 CE Points IMIA 0.3 CE Units DSHS 3 CE Hours (Pending to approval)
Yuliya Speroff
