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CyraCom Interpreter Spotlight: Min, Mandarin Interpreter

Interpreter Spotlight is a new series that will introduce some of our qualified, professional interpreters who work in CyraCom US contact centers. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the extraordinary people who interpret on the other end of the phone for your patients and providers.

Today we’re meeting Min, a Mandarin interpreter who has been working with CyraCom for over six years. 

Good morning, Min. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“Hello. I have been an interpreter at CyraCom for six years. I learned English in school in China and my husband is American. I started working at CyraCom one month after emigrating here from China. We moved because my husband’s parents retired here and we already had a daughter, and my husband’s parents wanted to get to know their grandkids.”

What made you interested in interpreting, and what do you like about it?

“I had the opportunity, and I knew I was capable and that I could do it. It was something that felt like it was challenging for me. It also feels good to help people.”

Tell us about one of your favorite interpreting experiences – any good stories?

“I took a call from a hospital manager who was talking to a patient who had a complaint. The on-site interpreter had made a mistake, and the patient did not know she was having surgery; she thought she was just having a test done. The surgery could not proceed because the patient was scared.  I was able to interpret for the manager and clear up some of the interpreting mistakes that an on-site interpreter had made. After that, the manager came to her and told her he trusted CyraCom, and asked that she ask for the Blue Phone instead of on-site interpreters from now on so she could be confident that the interpretation was right.”

At CyraCom, we have all of our employee interpreters take our 120-hour interpreting training course.  What did you think about the training?

“It was intensive and a little overwhelming at first. But it put me in the spot where I’m challenged just right. The training really helps to discover your abilities and strengths. The employees shine after the training and get so much better, just the three-week training makes a big difference.”

You’ve been working for CyraCom for six years. In addition to interpreting, what other tasks do you have?

“I have been given multiple opportunities to work on special projects and get involved in different things, such as curriculum developing and quality specialist work. I also monitor interpreters and train new employees. I feel very involved.”

In addition to being a bilingual interpreter, you are also a bicultural interpreter. Can you share with us something interesting about your culture and language?

“In Mandarin, we ask each other “Have you eaten?” to greet each other. Also if you eat with a family in China, they will force you to eat a lot.”

Let’s end with something fun. What are your hobbies?

“I like to read – I read Chinese books on my phone and Kindle. I also teach my daughter Chinese. She’s eight years old.”

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