Table 5 Examples of Language Clarity Issues Identified from Cognitive Interviews
Translation issue | Item content | Illustrative example |
|---|---|---|
Spanish words do not convey intended construct | Problem: Crisis mode or “modo de crisis” | Description of issue: “Crisis mode” translates to “modo de crisis” en other Spanish speaking countries. The concept exists in Peru but translates differently. English question: We work in “crisis mode” trying to do too much, too quickly. Initial translation: Trabajamos en “modo de crisis”, tratando de hacer demasiado y muy rápidamente. Final translation: Trabajamos bajo presión intentando realizar demasiadas cosas muy rápidamente. |
Problem: Perden or to lose for “falls through the cracks” | Description: “Falls between the cracks” translates into Spanish as “perden” or to lose things which is slightly different in meaning for participants. English question: Things “fall between the cracks” when transferring patients from one unit to another. Initial translation: Las cosas se pierden cuando los pacientes son transferidos de una unidad a otra. Final translation: La información y/o objetos de los pacientes se pierde cuando éstos se transfieren de una unidad a otra. | |
Spanish words are unfamiliar or have different meanings in some cultures or different nationalities | Problem: Importante información for specific information important to patient safety | Description of issue: Information is a generic word in Spanish and the participants wanted further clarification about what information (e.g. documents or forms) is important. English question: Important patient care information is often lost during shift changes. Initial translation: Con frecuencia se pierde importante información sobre el cuidado del paciente durante los cambios de turno. Final translation: Se pierde a menudo información importante de cuidado de pacientes durante cambios de turno. |
Problem: Linking the meaning of mistakes to chance through the phrase “por casualidad” | Description of issue: The phrase for chance in Peru exists but linking this to mistakes that occur in the hospital requires careful word order arrangement. English question: It is just by chance that more serious mistakes don’t happen around here. Initial translation: Aquí no suceden errores más serios sólo por casualidad. Final translation: Es sólo por casualidad que errores más serios no suceden aquí. |