I'm a rest. manager. Have been for 13 years. I speak Spanish fluently but didn't learn it in school. I want to go to school to become an interpreter. I want to help hispanic women through pregnancy/ childbirth. Can you advise how to begin this journey? I have googled some but no luck. Thanks! Gracias muy amable!
207683
What state do you live in?  There are programs in many colleges that enable one to start on the path to become a medical translator or interpreter.  They usually involve specialized classes in medical terminology.\n\nCheck out the websites below.  The first is the University of Washington's info on medical interpretation.  The second is the website for SOMI, the society of medical interpreters.  The third is the website of the American Translators' Association, which trains and credentials translators nationwide.\n\nI hope this helps!
226189
by the look of your avatar, you don't exactly like in the middle of kansas, miss nyc chick. you couldn't be in a better place to learn spanish, yet people on the post are telling you to take classes for a language spoken by the largest growing minority...... ummmmmm...... think about that. go stand on 125th street(that's pronounced "a hun-twunnie fiff stree" for non new yorkers) and see how quickly you will learn spanish. the point is, submerge yourself with spanish on purpose. lee las periodicas, y mira las noticias en la manana mientras esta haciendo desayuno, todo!! ya kno
459302
I am a native Spanish speaker and writer, and although teddy bear tried to do a good job, most of those answers are incorrect.\n\n1. Tengo una cita para ir al otorrino-laringologo (that's the Spanish name for this type of doctor) porque tenia un dolor de garganta.\n\n2. Tengo planes para ir a una clase de yoga y asi hacer algo de ejercicio\n\n3. Estoy listo (lista if female) para entrar a hacer una dieta alta en proteinas y carobohidratos y para ejercitar\n\n4. Mi manera favorita de ejercitar es correr, mi segunda favorita es el yoga\n\n5. Es una buena idea ejercitar y comer una dieta buena para que te sientas saludable
48402
Here are a few Spanish Websites.  I'm in my second year of Spanish in College. These helped me a good bit!   good luck!\n\nhttp://www.studyspanish.com/tutorial.htm\n\nhttp://babelfish.altavista.com/
633446
Good question. In our school system they hire illegals without teaching credentials to accomodate spanish only speaking students, yet don't have time to teach my kids a second language. They actually tried for a few months, then stopped without explanation. I guess many of these hispanic students need a lot of attention, because I've pretty much been told it's my job to educate my youngest two kids myself, but I legally must send them to school anyway. Just tell a teacher you are considering home schooling if you want an angry indignant response, though. I guess they need my money guaranteed so they can educate others.
301256
Soy una buen estudiante.\nMe saco buenas calificaciones.\nObtuve un promedio de 4.0 en primero de secundaria.\nObtuve un promedio de 4.0 en segundo de secundaria.\nActualmente, llevo un promedio de 3.75.\nEstudio todos los días.\nEscribo un ensayo a la semana.\nAsistí al consejo estudiantil en primero y segundo de secundaria.\nHe estado redactando muchos ensayos.\nSoy una excelente trabajador.\nDisfruto el poder trabajar con otras personas.\nTengo muy buenas habilidades verbales.\nObtuve un 9.5 en mi clase de Inglés.\nDisfruto el escribir.\nMe llevo bien con todos.\nSoy una persona feliz.\nEn segundo de secundaria obtuve un premio por asistencia perfecta.\n\nAtentamente, Sarah.\n\nSarah, in translating I considered the grades according to the education system of most Latin American countries.\n\nGrades 1 - 6     Primaria \nGrades 7 - 9     Secundaria (1,2,3)\nGrades 10-12     Preparatoria (1,2,3)\n\nI also considered the rough equivalence for grading.\nA+ = 10\nA  = 9.5\nA- = 9, and so on.
528023
Quiero hablar espanol, pero no me gusta estudiar.\nI took Spanish as a college course, but haven't used it much and need to learn it all over again, but I'm too lazy to study and practice.\n\nI would also like to relearn French, which I once was fairly fluent in.\nSame problem.\n\nI've had low thyroid and that really interferes with studying.\nAnd, I'm now getting older, which doesn't help.
185805
I don't know if you are being racist but you are not being realistic. You live in S. Texas what do you expect. There are many Spanish speaking people there. So who is more employable, a person who speaks only English or someone who is bilingual. You don't have to learn Spanish to work in this country but it couldn't hurt when you live on the Mexican border in what used to be a Mexican territory. Just being born in America doesn't entitle you to a job or move you ahead of other Americans who may not have been born here, or were and choose to retain the language of their culture. In this free market economy there is a demand for Spanish speaking employees in S. Texas. It is ultimately your decision if you want to make yourself more marketable or not.
312672
Just be polite. I deal with alot of Hispanic people, and I speak English. I am slowly learing spanish. I think I'm doing very well, but I've had alot of Hispanics make fun of the way I speak Spanish. It's degrading! I'm sure they wouldn't like it if I made fun of their English! So...just be nice!
11017
in spanish, abril ( dont capitalize the 'a', you're not supposed to) or go to freedict.com and there is a dictionay for all different languages. (that's what I use and plus, I go to spanish class this trimester)
217570
I'm bilingual...but it's because I have a degree (two, actually, I speak three languages).  I can say that from what I've observed it is not very likely to get you far.  I also live in Texas, where I competing with people that didn't go to school to become bilingual.  Despite 5 years in college, I'm working side -by side in a call center with a puerto-rican immigrant with no degree.\n Being bilingual is easy to come by, especially if it's spanish.  But the sad truth is that most major corporations will only hire management with either a degree, or experience (the new president of HR in my company got in on experience, but he has one year to earn a bachelor's degree or he's out).  So you can go so far, but management almost always requires a degree, along with experience\n\nYou're not an asset just being bilingual (as I've learned, I speak three languages, but have no real area of expertise beyond languages).  You are a huge asset if you have knowledge of computer programming, engineering, landscaping, contstruction, etc AND you're bilingual.  Even if it's not a degree, if you're very affluent in one subject, it can help, but ultimately  Get a degree!!!\n\nIf you want to make your spanish worthwhile right now, pick a subject you really like; computers, construction, automobile repair, etc.  Get a job that will put you in that general vicinity (doesn't mean you'll be doing it, but you'll be working around it).I'm working in a call center taking french and spanish calls, but I hang out with the international and marketing departments, I make sure they know my name and my skills without boasting. \n\n What you want to do is get a Job that lets you USE your bilingual skills, but really hone your other skill.  If you're a native spanish speaker, you don't need to use your spanish every day like I do to keep it up you need to use that 'other skill'.  What you need is "resumé padding", which is something that gives you credentials and experience.  Even if you're not starting a career at that job, you want to be able to tell someone that you were (for example) a bilingual agent at Walmart.\n\nYou're quickest degree depends on you.  My personal recommendation would be a degree in something you're good at and that matches the spanish market (computer programming and spanish isn't a good combo) International marketing, accounting, business, journalism or even (cough) spanish. If you really want to go far, law and medicine. A degree in your own native tongue actually goes a long way for making you stand out as someone who could be a qualified document translator.
388518
The question is whether those who live here and didn't have expensive ESL education, making them bilingual in Spanish and English, should be expected or required to have any knowledge of that language.\n\nMany would like to be bilingual, but when I went through the LAUSD I could choose French, German or Spanish as my language (I chose French).  Now the program cuts are so severe, our children are only offered Spanish, if that, and many aren't interested in learning Spanish.
603224
At least you only have to worry about Spanish, where I live we have to do everything pretty much in English, Spanish and Hmong.  \n\nI was in line at the DMV and the young Hispanic gentelman in front of me needed an interpreter so he could get his paperwork filled out for his license.  God help us all, if they can't read the forms and such or understand when things are explained to them, how the heck can they read the signs.
389953
Hello! Welcome to management in a culturally diverse environment!\n\nThere are some websites that offer online lessons of varying degrees of quality, but it depends on what languages you need to learn. \n\nFor the moment, however, you might want to use http://world.altavista.com to translate common words and phrases in different languages so that you can at least speak and give direction, even if you can't understand your staff's responses.\n\nBetter yet, make it a team project to teach and to learn each others language. Consider asking your staff to teach you basic words and phrases in their language and you can teach them English. Is a member of your staff bilingual enough to coach you in the language and culture? \n\nIf you have staff meetings, create a standing 15-20 minute agenda item on teaching and learning new words--and keep it fun!  \n\nBe creative! \n\nDo use hand and body language, draw pictures. That's how people get along in a foreign country...it works! And you don't have to be good at it, but your staff will appreciate the effort you make to learn their language. \n\nIf you can, get a "teach yourself" language book or take a class to learn basic grammar and words. Ultimately, the best way to learn a foreign language is to try to speak it--that's the "organic" way to learn it. \n\nAs you work to learn each other's languages, you'll find that you'll establish working relationships with your staff, which is key to good management. And you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll learn to communicate! \n\nGood luck!
537902
Yeah, it is pretty hot when a girl yells out stuff in Italian, Spanish or some other foreign language when she comes. Especialy Spanish (I REALLY like Hispanic women - it sounds really hot when they say dirty stuff in their language!!!). It feels like you ****** her so hard she forgot how to speak English!
97288
Well, I am currently an exchange student in Brazil, where I am 'learning' Portuguese. My program is pretty good, its called CIEE. Last year my sister went to study in Spain for a year. Just so you know, in neither Latin America or Europe do you choose your classes like you do in America. So, I doubt you will be able to take any admitable classes. Suggestion: either do a summer program or go after you senior year. I finished my freshman year and then came here, so now I have to graduate a year later than my friends. But, oh, the freedom-the fun- the parties- the experience- it's ALL worth it!
263615
The best thing you can do is learn to speak spanish! You will need a language credit if you plan on going to college anyway. Yes explain it is rude, because it is. Lots of non-americans do this and it is rude. I hope we pass a law that English is the official language of the U.S- I was shocked to hear it wasn't but Spanish as a second language for anglos is a reality we are going to have to live with and is here to stay. As far as Cali turning into Mexico that will never happen. Here is some food for thought..... Most of California was at one time land belonging to Mexico. (along with most of texas, arizona and new mexico) When Santa Ana lost, the land was taken by the U.S.(literally taken, soldiers and rebels going up to houses and farmsteads throwing the occupants  out by force saying this is ours now get out, but hey that is what happens in war) -- along with thousands and thousands of acres that formally belonged to Mexico. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and your forefathers immigrated here too. You have to expect that the demographics of our country will continue to change over time. I do think something needs to be done about illegal immigration. I also think Mexico needs to do more to develop it's own economy and corruption problems so that Mexicans would not be derperate to come here. If it weren't for those illegal immigrants, however, you would be paying $18 a pound for tomatoes and lots more for things like hotel rooms, all produce, restaurant meals and so on. If you are not liking the change in the population of where you live, this is America, nobody is making you stay here. You have 50 wonderful states to choose from, as well as any country around the world. This is something you will have to think about as you grow up.