ABSTRACT
The author explores individual-level constructs, the interpersonal-level constructs and the propositions of the Model of Bilingual Health Communication (BHC). The normative approach to interpreter-mediated medical encounters forms the basis of his Model of Bilingual Health Communication. Individual-level constructs has four constructs namely, Communicative Goals, Individual Agency, System Norms, and Quality and Equality of Care (QEC). This chapter includes interpreter's ability to not take sides, interpreter's ability to remain emotionally detached, interpreter's ability to offer literal translation and interpreter's medical knowledge and medical terminology. The examination of the interpreter-mediated medical encounter thus should explore how the participants coordinate with one another throughout the emergent and dynamic processes of cross-cultural care, responding to challenges and tensions in provider patient interactions. Trust control power as a dimension shapes how participants negotiate the various individual-level constructs with one another. Patient's understanding of their illness and illness symptoms is situated in their Lifeworld, which is infused with their cultural beliefs, social experiences, and folk ideologies.
