So there I was, transporting a patient that doesn’t speak any English. Up until now I would have requested the aid of a family member or someone else that could translate Spanish to English for me. Not today. With technology constantly advancing before our eyes there shouldn’t be a need for humans to do the job of machines right?
As you probably know, I wrote a review recently on a mobile app called “Babbledroid”. Well I was able to use this app for the first time in attempt to translate English to Spanish by simply speaking into my phone.
So here’s the story….
After loading my patient into the ambulance and beginning transport, I take a set of vitals and then decide to start an IV. Up until now, I would have just showed the non-English speaking patient the needle to warn him before jabbing the sharp object into his vein. But today technology was on my side as I had my handy Android Phone in my pocket.
I fire up my Babbledroid app and select “Spanish” and start talking away.
Sean – “How are you feeling?”
Robotic Voice Translation – “¿cómo te sientes?”
Patient – (giving me a “What the hell?” look) says something in Spanish that I don’t understand.
Sean’s brain activity – ”I have no idea what he just said. I guess I should stick to yes or no questions.”
Sean – “Is your breathing getting better?”
Robotic Voice Translation – “su respiración es cada vez mejor?”
Patient – “Sí”
Sean’s Brain Activity – “Sweet! That worked well.”
Sean – “You are going to feel a poke”
Robotic Voice Translation – “usted va a matar a un topo” (The Spanish translation of “You are going to kill a mole”
Sean’s Brain Activity - “Crap, I didn’t say that! Stupid translator!”
Patient – Looks at me with a disgusted look for a good 30 seconds before he just starts laughing out loud.
Sean – “I feel stupid now”
Robotic Voice Translation – “Me siento estúpido ahora”
Patient – “Sí”
