In This Blog Post
Why Untrained Bilingual Friends, Family, or Coworkers Should Never Replace Professional Interpreters
When you’re juggling tight budgets, limited staff, and urgent needs, turning to a bilingual friend, family member, or coworker to interpret can feel like a practical—and convenient—solution. After all, they’re available and usually eager to help.
But good intentions aren’t enough. Using untrained, untested interpreters is a risky shortcut that can lead to serious misunderstandings, privacy breaches, lost revenue, and the potential for legal liability.
Interpreting isn’t just about speaking two languages. Without the right training, even well-meaning helpers can leave out important details, say the wrong thing, or cross lines they don’t realize are there. And it happens more often than you might think, especially in organizations that don’t have a clear plan for language access.
With more than 67 million people in the U.S. speaking a language other than English at home, these challenges aren’t going away. Whether you’re supporting patients, customers, students, or coworkers, clear communication is too important to leave to chance. Professional interpreters know how to handle sensitive conversations in an accurate and respectful way, so that everyone walks away on the same page.
So how do you protect your organization—and the people you serve—from the risks of “good enough” language help? This article will walk you through what’s at stake, where the dangers show up, and how Language Services Associates (LSA) can help you build a safer, more effective language access strategy.
The Hidden Risks of Relying on Unqualified Language Support
One well-known healthcare case illustrates the danger clearly: A nine-year-old Vietnamese child was taken to a hospital for flu-like symptoms. Her parents spoke no English, and the staff relied on her 16-year-old brother to interpret. After miscommunication about medication instructions, the girl had a fatal reaction and died. The hospital later paid $200,000 in damages.
This tragic event was preventable and happened only because the proper language support wasn’t used.
Outside of healthcare, similar risks apply. Misunderstood contracts, incorrectly completed government forms, or mismanaged customer service interactions can all result in lost business, legal exposure, and damaged reputations.
What Professional Interpreters Are Trained to Do (And Why It Matters)
Professional interpreters are trained to go beyond simply relaying information. They understand context, tone, body language, and cultural nuance. They serve as impartial communicators, trained to deliver even the most sensitive messages with professionalism and accuracy.
In contrast, family members or untrained bilingual staff may inadvertently edit, soften, or omit critical information due to emotional involvement, discomfort, or lack of vocabulary.
In a field like healthcare, this could mean failing to ask necessary medical questions that may be too intimate or embarrassing for a family member or friend to ask.
In legal or financial settings, it could result in misunderstood rights, risks, or obligations. In customer service, it could mean a lost client due to a poor experience.
Additionally, professional interpreters are fluent in the protocols and ethics required for sensitive interactions — whether that means understanding HIPAA protocols in a hospital, confidentiality in a courtroom, or customer privacy in finance. They’re also trained to remain neutral and objective — something that can be nearly impossible for someone personally connected to the situation. This professionalism also leads to better interactions, faster resolution times, smoother transactions, and even improved revenue for your organization.
When “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough: The Problem with Unvetted Bilingual Staff
A bilingual coworker who claims to know enough to get by is not the same as a trained interpreter. While dual-role employees may help in basic interactions, you’ll need to assess their language ability and interpreting skills before allowing them to communicate in high-risk situations. LSA offers Language Assessments & Testing to confirm your bilingual staff meet industry standards. This secures compliance, reduces liability, and protects your brand and the people you serve. It will also strengthen customer confidence, reduce costly errors, and support retention.
How LSA Can Help: Scalable Language Access Solutions for Every Industry
When there’s no clear system for language access, teams do what they can in the moment. That often means relying on bilingual coworkers or family members — not because it’s ideal, but because it seems faster, easier, or like the only option.
LSA helps you replace that uncertainty with a reliable, ready-to-go solution. We give your organization immediate access to thousands of rigorously vetted interpreters across 250+ languages. Whether you need Over the Phone, Video Remote, or Onsite support, our interpreters are trained in industry-specific terminology and ethical standards, delivering expert services when and where you need them. LSA’s customizable solutions are scalable and secure, meeting the demands of sectors like:
HIPAA-compliant interpretation across specialties
Accurate, confidential communication for sensitive matters
Multilingual assistance to drive loyalty and revenue
Seamless guest experiences for global clientele
Equitable access for students and families
What’s Next
LSA isn’t just a language service provider — we’re your partner in removing barriers, improving outcomes, and strengthening your connection to the people you serve. For our clients, compliance is just the baseline. They’re also discovering new pathways to revenue by creating inclusive, accessible, and reliable experiences for every audience.
Let’s get your organization speaking all the right languages.
Contact us today at (800) 305-9673 ext. 55305 or visit www.lsa.inc to learn more.
