Many organizations assume that having bilingual employees is enough to handle translation and interpretation needs. After all, if someone speaks two languages, why not let them translate documents or interpret conversations?
The reality is: being bilingual doesn’t automatically qualify someone to deliver professional translation and interpretation services. When it comes to legal, medical, or business content, even a small error can lead to serious consequences — from lawsuits to patient harm and business losses.
If you’re responsible for hiring language services, here’s why it’s risky to rely on bilingual employees for translation and interpretation and why working with qualified language professionals is essential.
When Machine Translation and Untrained Interpreters Fail: The Cruz-Zamora Case
Some organizations and law enforcement agencies turn to quick fixes like bilingual employees, friends, or even machine translation tools like Google Translate to bridge communication gaps. But these shortcuts can have unintended and serious consequences.
Consider the case of Omar Cruz-Zamora, a Mexican native stopped by police in Kansas. Due to his limited English skills, officers attempted to communicate using Google Translate. Based on that flawed interaction, they believed Cruz-Zamora had consented to a search of his car.
What went wrong?
When the officers typed “May we search your car?” into Google Translate, the Spanish translation came out as “¿Podemos buscar su coche?”, which actually means “May we find your car?” — an entirely different question.
The result? A court ruled that Cruz-Zamora’s consent wasn’t valid because of the poor translation. The evidence gathered during the search was suppressed, and the entire case was dismissed.
This case illustrates the dangers of using untrained translators or automated tools in legal situations where accuracy is critical.
When Misinterpretation Leads to Medical Malpractice: The Willie Ramirez Case
Language mistakes aren’t limited to the legal field — they can also have life-altering effects in healthcare.
In 1980, Willie Ramirez, a young Cuban-American athlete, was rushed to a Florida hospital. His family described him as “intoxicado,” a Spanish word meaning he had ingested something harmful, like spoiled food. However, the term was misinterpreted as “intoxicated,” implying drug or alcohol use.
Because of this misinterpretation, doctors treated Ramirez for a drug overdose and missed the real diagnosis — a brain hemorrhage. The delay in treatment resulted in permanent paralysis. His family later settled a $71 million malpractice lawsuit over the error.
This tragic case shows the consequences of poor translation and why relying on untrained interpreters in healthcare settings can be catastrophic.
Why Bilingual Staff Aren’t Professional Translators or Interpreters
The cases above are just two examples of the many documented failures caused by using bilingual employees or unqualified individuals for translation and interpretation.
Here’s why you should think twice before assigning these critical tasks to bilingual staff:
-
Professional training matters: Certified interpreters and translators undergo specialized education and testing.
-
Accuracy is critical: In legal, medical, and corporate settings, there’s no room for errors, omissions, or assumptions.
-
Cultural and contextual knowledge: Qualified language professionals understand cultural nuances and how they affect communication.
-
Compliance and confidentiality: Professional interpreters follow strict industry standards and ethical codes.
-
The cost of mistakes: Misinterpretations can lead to lawsuits, regulatory violations, or reputational damage.
Simply put, the difference between using bilingual staff vs professional translators can have significant, lasting consequences.
The Cost of Using Untrained Translators
While relying on bilingual employees might seem convenient or cost-effective, the risks can far outweigh the savings. From suppressed legal evidence to multimillion-dollar malpractice claims, the history of translation and interpretation mistakes is well-documented.
Whether it’s a court case, a patient’s life, or a business deal, accurate communication is too important to leave to chance.
Partner with Certified Language Experts
At Targem Translations, we understand how much is at stake when it comes to clear, accurate communication. That’s why we work exclusively with certified, native-speaking translators and interpreters who are trained in their specific fields — whether legal, medical, or corporate.
If you want to avoid the risks of untrained interpreters and ensure your content or conversations are understood exactly as intended, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to discuss your translation and interpretation needs and learn how we can help you communicate effectively and safely. Need an Interpreter? Fill out this form and we’ll contact you to set it up.
