Legal | Medical: 25 Drills & Glossary
A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay
Mastering the brain’s ability to recall complex terminology under pressure requires conceptual association. We provide these 25 drills to help you bridge the gap between English and Spanish with precision and professional tone.
25 Foundational Drills
1. Arraignment (Lectura de Cargos)
English: "Mr. Sanchez, you are charged with Grand Larceny. How do you plead?"
Español: "Sr. Sánchez, se le acusa de Hurto Mayor. ¿Cómo se declara?"
2. Informed Consent (Consentimiento Informado)
English: "We need your signed consent before administering the anesthesia."
Español: "Necesitamos su consentimiento firmado antes de administrar la anestesia."
3. Bail Hearing (Audiencia de Fianza)
English: "The prosecution argues that the defendant is a flight risk."
Español: "La fiscalía argumenta que el acusado presenta riesgo de fuga."
4. Chronic Pain (Dolor Crónico)
English: "How would you describe the intensity of your pain on a scale of one to ten?"
Español: "¿Cómo describiría la intensidad de su dolor en una escala del uno al diez?"
5. Cross-Examination (Contrainterrogatorio)
English: "Is it not true that you were at the scene of the crime that night?"
Español: "¿No es cierto que usted estuvo en la escena del crimen esa noche?"
6. Triage (Triaje)
English: "The nurse will evaluate the severity of your symptoms to prioritize treatment."
Español: "La enfermera evaluará la gravedad de sus síntomas para priorizar el tratamiento."
7. Subpoena (Citación)
English: "You have been served a subpoena to appear as a witness in this matter."
Español: "Se le ha entregado una citación para comparecer como testigo en este asunto."
8. Discharge (Alta Médica)
English: "I am providing your discharge instructions and a prescription for your recovery."
Español: "Le proporciono sus instrucciones de alta y una receta para su recuperación."
9. Probation (Libertad Condicional)
English: "The court sentences you to three years of supervised probation."
Español: "El tribunal lo condena a tres años de libertad condicional supervisada."
10. Referral (Remisión)
English: "I am referring you to a specialist for a more detailed evaluation."
Español: "Lo voy a remitir a un especialista para una evaluación más detallada."
11. Affidavit (Declaración Jurada)
English: "Please review the facts stated in this affidavit before signing."
Español: "Por favor, revise los hechos declarados en esta declaración jurada antes de firmar."
12. Biopsy (Biopsia)
English: "We need to perform a biopsy to determine if the tissue is malignant."
Español: "Necesitamos realizar una biopsia para determinar si el tejido es maligno."
13. Hearsay (Testimonio de Oídas)
English: "Objection, Your Honor. The witness's statement is based on hearsay."
Español: "Objeción, Su Señoría. La declaración del testigo se basa en testimonios de oídas."
14. Symptoms (Síntomas)
English: "When did you first notice these symptoms appearing?"
Español: "¿Cuándo notó por primera vez que aparecían estos síntomas?"
15. Indictment (Acusación Formal)
English: "The grand jury has issued a formal indictment against the defendant."
Español: "El gran jurado ha emitido una acusación formal contra el acusado."
16. Miranda Rights (Derechos Miranda)
English: "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you."
Español: "Tiene derecho a guardar silencio. Cualquier cosa que diga puede ser usada en su contra."
17. Rehabilitation (Rehabilitación)
English: "The patient will require intensive physical rehabilitation following surgery."
Español: "El paciente requerirá rehabilitación física intensiva después de la cirugía."
18. Contempt of Court (Desacato al Tribunal)
English: "Failure to comply with this order may result in a charge of contempt of court."
Español: "El incumplimiento de esta orden puede resultar en un cargo de desacato al tribunal."
19. Side Effects (Efectos Secundarios)
English: "Common side effects of this medication include nausea and dizziness."
Español: "Los efectos secundarios comunes de este medicamento incluyen náuseas y mareos."
20. Plea Bargain (Acuerdo de Culpabilidad)
English: "The prosecutor has offered a plea bargain for a reduced sentence."
Español: "El fiscal ha ofrecido un acuerdo de culpabilidad para una sentencia reducida."
21. Subdural Hematoma (Hematoma Subdural)
English: "The CT scan shows a subdural hematoma requiring immediate intervention."
Español: "La tomografía computarizada muestra un hematoma subdural que requiere intervención inmediata."
22. Motion to Dismiss (Pedimento de Desestimación)
English: "The defense has filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on lack of evidence."
Español: "La defensa ha presentado un pedimento de desestimación de los cargos por falta de pruebas."
23. Palliative Care (Cuidados Paliativos)
English: "Our focus now is on palliative care to ensure the patient's comfort."
Español: "Nuestro enfoque ahora es en los cuidados paliativos para asegurar la comodidad del paciente."
24. Restraining Order (Orden de Restricción)
English: "The court has granted a temporary restraining order against the individual."
Español: "El tribunal ha concedido una orden de restricción temporal contra el individuo."
25. Prognosis (Pronóstico)
English: "While the recovery will be long, the overall prognosis is positive."
Español: "Aunque la recuperación será larga, el pronóstico general es positivo."
The Master Academy Glossary
Acquittal (Absolución): A legal judgment that a defendant is not guilty.
Affidavit (Declaración Jurada): A written statement confirmed by oath.
Arraignment (Lectura de Cargos): Formal reading of charges against the defendant.
Bail (Fianza): Security pledged for the release of a prisoner.
Biopsy (Biopsia): Examination of tissue from a living body.
Burden of Proof (Carga de la Prueba): Obligation to prove one's assertion.
Chronic (Crónico): Persistent, long-lasting illness.
Contempt of Court (Desacato): Defiance of court authority.
Cross-Examination (Contrainterrogatorio): Questioning a witness from the opposing side.
Diagnosis (Diagnóstico): Identification of the nature of an illness.
Discharge (Alta Médica): Formal release from medical care.
Due Process (Debido Proceso): Fair treatment through the judicial system.
Hearsay (Testimonio de Oídas): Information received from other people; rumors.
Indictment (Acusación Formal): Formal charge of a serious crime.
Informed Consent (Consentimiento Informado): Permission with knowledge of risks.
Injunction (Mandato Judicial): Order to stop a specific action.
Litigation (Litigio): The process of legal action.
Malignant (Maligno): Cancerous or dangerous to health.
Miranda Rights (Derechos Miranda): Rights read to a criminal suspect.
Palliative Care (Cuidados Paliativos): Care focused on relief from symptoms.
Plea Bargain (Acuerdo): Pleading guilty for a lesser charge.
Probation (Libertad Condicional): Supervision instead of prison.
Prognosis (Pronóstico): Likely course of a disease.
Subpoena (Citación): Writ ordering a person to attend court.
Verdict (Veredicto): Final decision by a jury or judge.
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