What is going to happen to me? I am 14 years old and need help!

Question

I work at a hospital as a 14 year old translator and this man walked in and said that he needed help with something, so I go with him and then he gives me his cellphone and tells me what to say to this lady. I told her that he is moving and can not stay at that apartment anymore. So I thought everything would be fine until I got a call back from that lady today and told me that the man had taken the washer and dryer out of the apartment and had spilled water on the top of his neighbors house, and said that she would be calling the police if he did not return the things. So I told her that I will call his number and tell him that he needs to give those things back. I called him but someone else answered, I told him that he should tell his friend that he needs to return the washer and dryer back to the apartment unless he wants to go to jail. So his friend said okay that he would tell him what I said, but then he called me back a few minutes later and told me that he had left the country. So I call the lady back and tell her that I am just a translator and that I don't even know the man, so she asked me "Is he going to return the things?" and I said no he isn't because he left the country. She told me that I told her that he was going to return the things to her, but I never said that to her and she said "hmmm...that is not the truth, I am going to have to call the police." So I got mad at him and the lady at the real estate center. Now my question is, Am I going to have problems with the law about this? Is the police going to get my number and come to my house? Can I stop this? What should I do?

Answer 1

No, you won't get in trouble. Even if you HAD told her he was going to return the things, that isn't against the law. It's not like you signed in blood that you were going to return the things for her. All you did was translate. If the police contact you (which I doubt they even will), just tell them the truth. You didn't do anything wrong.

Answer 2

Yikes - you scared me already when you said you are 14 and working as a translator in a hospital.

I have 10+ years in the translation business (not hospitals), isn't that illegal on so many fronts?

States are busy passing laws so that kids don;t have to translate medical stuff for their parents.

I realize there are probably few choices where you are, but this smacks of mismanagement? why isn't your manager training you on what you may translate and may not? this is not hospital business.

you should speak to the manager immediately about what the boundaries are of your job.

next time you will tell the guy "I am only hear to translate for hospital business - I can refer to you to another translator if you like"

you won't get in trouble - it sounds like just two regular knuckleheads who got you involved in a personal dispute.

but really, work on finding out what your boundaries and responsibilities are and are not as a translator.

frankly if I were you, I would be waaaaay more concerned that you mistranslate something medical about which you have no knowledge, let alone vocabulary, in either language. When people get sick and die or make poor decisions about their health based on what you say, that is going to come back to haunt both you and the hospital in a big way.

there is not enough money in the world for me as a translation manager, to put anyone in that position other then a qualified nurse or doctor or similar medical professional. better to go without and rely on phone services such as ATT's (if it is still owned by them in Monterey, CA) under contract then to bring in a local 14 year old kid to volunteer\ or work for peanuts.

IMHO.

Answer 3

You have already done too much. I doubt your job description included non-hospital-related interpretation. You were on your own and should have gotten some idea as to what the man wanted you to do before you did anything. You should have been thinking like a lawyer!

I doubt anything will happen. At worst, the police may want to ask you some questions. Tell the truth. It will probably end there. It will be deemed a civil matter that the woman and the man need to work out in or out of court. If it goes to court, you may be summonsed as a witness. Be sure you are given the travel and witness fee when you are served, as is probably required by your state law. Again, just tell the truth and only answer the question you are asked. No explanations or excuses.

Answer 4

You absolutely are not responsible for this mans actions.  You are 14 years old.  Don't worry about it, and talk to your parents.

Answer 5

hahahah that lady is a *****!!!!

nah man you'll be fine.

if the cops talk to you just tell them your story and theyll understand. this woman has no proof that you did anything wrong.

oh and if you find out where she lives egg the **** outta her house