UNMH launches Zuni interpreter program to overcome language barriers in healthcare

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – University of New Mexico Hospital has rolled out a new Zuni interpreter program which is training people who speak the language how to communicate with patients. The hospital offers interpreter services for more than 200 languages but they said Indigenous languages like Zuni bring unique challenges.

“What we learned is that Zuni is a descriptive language, so we don’t have actual terms to some items. So we have to best describe it in a sense that makes sense if that makes sense at all,” said Amber Dishta, graduate of the UNMH Zuni Interpreter Training Program.

UNMH said they have had conversations about similar training for other tribes.

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