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Language Barrier
After a trip to Mexico and talking to the Firefighters over there, or "Bomberos" as they call themselves, I became curious as to know...
How many of you have ever been faced with a language barrier, and how did it affect the incident?
What do you do if you're faced with someone who speaks little to no English in an emergency, who do you call?
Does your department carry those quick reference sheets made specially for EMS and Fire?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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Well, my formal title is Goddess Heather - as you will see displayed by Dust in the "Migraine" discussion. But you are correct, the USA is really lacking in respect of that official title... so I must settle.
The common people are permitted to call me Lady or Lady Heather. So for you, yes, you are granted permission to use one of these terms - coupled with a genuflect or bow!
Some resort to Miss Heather - but again as displayed by Dust in the "Stereotypes" (?) discussion, that holds the Mistress Heather title... only those closest to me who are prepared to deliver their supreme loyalty and worship to me, like . . . may call me Mistress! (maybe someday you will earn the privilege!) Keep the faith !!!
Some try that Madam term - but that term has become too true over the years and gives away my anonymity too much. But I will respond to said title ;-)
... more than you ever wanted to know about me @}~}~~
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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"Goddess Heather " - no, I'm not religious, so that's out.
"Lady Heather" - self appointed? No, I can't use that either.
"Miss Heather" - as in unmarried or as in a primary school teacher? That's a possible for the first meaning, but far too many years since school for me.
"Mistress Heather" - hmm. I'd better be careful of that one, it always reminds me of the old definition 'that which comes between a master and his mattress'.
"Madam" - again perhaps not. Reminds me of the person in charge of a bordello...
I'll stick to the good old Aussie custom of not using titles. Given names are easier anyway ;o)
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Permalink Reply by Rich Lockhart on
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We have quite a Spanish speaking population in our first due area. I had Spanish in high school and that helps a little. If we need more help, the County can put us through to a language line where they can translate for us. That option is really no help in an emergency. Some of the guys carry laminated cards with some key words printed on them to help out. They made up their own cards and include numbers, parts of the dwelling etc. It's funny though, how well they understand some English such as " I'm going to tow your car"!
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WOW you put a lot of thought into this !!!
Greek Goddess - not religious
Lady - not self-appointed... but I would not put it past me to self-assign other fun titles
but you call me whatever you feel comfortable calling me big boy... just don't be shocked when the others use other terms to announce my presence...
most people use those four & five letter words anyway when they are trying to describe me
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Permalink Reply by Forrest Post on
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Wanted to start it for a while. I've always been curious about languages and that. And thanks for adding to my discussion!
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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Thanks for the explanation Marcio.
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We do the same.
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Permalink Reply by Trevor Hawkins on
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Were I'm from, es bueno hablar espanol. That and redneck lol.
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Permalink Reply by Márcio Teixeira on
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no problem..
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Hi Paul
i respect your opinion...but i think if we speak more than one language its better, to everyone..
For example, you and your family or friends come to Portugal on holiday while they are here they have a problem, an accident, sudden illness or whatever, you need to help leagues and the number of emergency (Europe 112), and when you try talk to the dispatcher of an emergency, he tells you (only speak Portuguese) and you as you fend? is correct? is it d look with a good impression of the emergency services when the paramedics arrived next to you ... and you wanted to explain the situation and they do not understand anything of what you said? or else a car crash in a mountainous area and wanted to explain the correct place ... and no one noticing anything that you said!
.... I'm Portuguese speak Portuguese, but when it comes to rescue or help someone .. or even bring out a tourist or immigrant ... who does not speak Portuguese .... I speak English / Spanish / French I do not speak much Italian but I understand enough ..
For example, you and your family or friends come to Portugal on holiday while they are here they have a problem, an accident, sudden illness or whatever, you need to help leagues and the number of emergency (Europe 112), and when you try talk to the dispatcher of an emergency, he tells you (only speak Portuguese) and you as you fend? is correct? is it d look with a good impression of the emergency services when the paramedics arrived next to you ... and you wanted to explain the situation and they do not understand anything of what you said? or else a car crash in a mountainous area and wanted to explain the correct place ... and no one noticing anything that you said!
.... I'm Portuguese speak Portuguese, but when it comes to rescue or help someone .. or even bring out a tourist or immigrant ... who does not speak Portuguese .... I speak English / Spanish / French I do not speak much Italian but I understand enough ..
O nosso lema: todos os sacrificios são poucos, quando revertem a favor do bem comum
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Permalink Reply by John E Badjar Sr on
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Here in New Mexico most times we have problem it's with spanish speaking, (auto accidents). My dept. is luckly we have a border patrol check point and if needed we can call and get one of there agent on scene pretty quick.
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Permalink Reply by JERRY SALINAS on
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Really hard, is a phenomenon that every time is increased due to globalization, here in my fire department, sometimes we had problems with visitors from other nations, but the service has to give, I happened at the UN Summit some time ago, a French diplomat was trapped in an elevator, and when my company's arrival to the place, we learned that the person did not speak Spanish, to my fortune I speak a little French and could solve the problem. I think the solution to such problems may be the training of service personnel in the use of languages other than our country. Thank you.
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