[Languages] English in Medicine

[Psy]

i saw this part of mancia and suffered my usual out-of-the-blue brainstorm :P. why is there a part in mancia only for english speakers? what's the connection between health students and the saxon language? i thought that maybe there might be a common pattern among the students posting in this forum, so why not ask them:

do you think it's useful for a medical student to know more than one language?
why? / why not?

from my very personal point of view, being able to understand -any- another language isa key that open doors in several aspects of life, not only medicine.
but as medicine is our carreer, i'll just talk about that. first of all, i'm using my english nowadays a lot when it comes to do some research with stuff that is yet not translated to spanish, such as some web pages my head of class proffesor reccomends. i'm also finding english handy when it comes to use some atlas online, such as my netter, which is completely in english. while some other people could waste really usefull time trying to figure out what a "surface" is, i take it really naturally, and that's really cool if you ask me :P.
well, just that. feel free to say anything regarding languages and medicine here.
take care xP!
Juan/John (my english teacher calls me that... "Juan" is kind of hard to say while you are speaking with an accent xD)

[Tincho]

The connection isn't necessarily between medstudents and the English language. The problem is that the most novel research is published in English, and by that fact we are virtually required to at least achieve a particular level of competence in English so that we may remain updated on the latest information, reviews and research.

English is, in my humble opinion, crucial to the medstudent and aspiring physician. Other languages not so much, but English in particular. The rest can be learned but not knowing them will not detract you in the professional world.

[Dr. Matute]

Originalmente publicado por Tincho

The connection isn't necessarily between medstudents and the English language. The problem is that the most novel research is published in English, and by that fact we are virtually required to at least achieve a particular level of competence in English so that we may remain updated on the latest information, reviews and research.

English is, in my humble opinion, crucial to the medstudent and aspiring physician. Other languages not so much, but English in particular. The rest can be learned but not knowing them will not detract you in the professional world.

I've got almost nothing to add to your comment. I completely agree with you.

I think that, now matter why or how, english became the universal language, not only for medicine, but for people in general, in everyday issues. And when it comes to science... all the relevant and newest information is published in english. And by the time the spanish version becomes available, the info is not that new anymore.

On the other hand... I think that languages are a way of expanding our intellects, a way of getting to know other cultures without needing a 'conversion'. Everything is more real if you can take it in its original form.
Obviously, it's impossible for us to learn every existing language... but I would if I could!!

Some years ago, I decided that I wanted to learn the russian alphabet (Cyrillic).... so I did!
Now I can almost read a text in russian... although I don't understand almost anything!
However, I realized that some words are similar in pronunciation to those words in spanish or in english... of course, once you know how to read them!

Other language that I like is italian, since half of my heritage is italian.... and I know a few words, and I can read it quite well.
And the other language that interested me a few years ago, was romanian... as the last 25% of my genes are romanian!!
I even listened to radios on internet... and tried to read some pages. It was surprising to find out that it was a latin language, but with many slavic influence. So... it sounds a little bit like italian, but spoken by russians!! he he

That's all I have to say

I really should go to bed early today... 'cause I have to work tomorrow!!!

CYA!

Matute MD

Yo entro al foro de inglés y escribo en español-castellano.

Soy re heavy-re jodido(?)

Idioma Inglés: te odio!!!! con toda mi alma!!!!

I hate you, but I need to learn you!

[Psy]

guys, i said that english was usefull for every aspect of life in the very first message -.-"!!!
anyway, we all agree then that it is not ADVISABLE to leave english behind if you are going to work as a doctor, and you want to be updated.
so john, you should give it a try :P...
i wonder why he hates it...
i wonder how can anybody get to HATE a language xD...
anyway...
dead thread xP!
John/Juan/Psy/Pesy

[Gustavo231]

I´m running now to the faculty. Yes, most students speak english, and they think that they´re smart just because of this. Why don´t you learn chinese? Then we´ll see who is the smartest guy.

[Nacho.tk]

I personally don't find chinese usefull for anything except for one thing: Askins for chinese food with a good pronunciation. On the opossite, I do find stuying english as a very usefull tool for the future.

Anyway, I've never seen someone who belive that is smarter just because he/she studies english.

best regards,
Nacho

[cowie]

hey people
how are u? im sorry ive been so "lost" lately, but uni makes me this BUU jajajaja now for real.
i dont think that knowing english is for smart people, on the contrary english is a really easy language (im sorry if im offending anyone!) but for real, its easier to learn english than spanish or chinese; thats why (i think) it become such a popular language (plus that the US and England are some of the most powerful countries around the world nowadays)
its not only useful to medicine studients, but the everybody.
when u are looking for a job, most of them request english, u need english to read some stuff, such as school things or news. if u are lucky enough to be able to travel around the world im pretty sure that 6 of 10 people will know english in any country that u visit, or at least know the basics to be able to understand what u are saying.
and by the way my boyfriend speaks chinese and english and he doesnt feel smarter than anyone. on the contrary, he actually thinks that knowing spanish would be better, cause even chinese is a really hard language its useless.
love, Agus

[Tincho]

There is at least one country where you will be totally lost if you try to speak English to the locals: France.

[cowie]

Originalmente publicado por Tincho

There is at least one country where you will be totally lost if you try to speak English to the locals: France.

jaja really? i didnt know that :P
my aunt told me so, but i thought it was cause her horrible english :X lol

[carla]

HI everyone...
I love english, I`ve learned it since i was 8 years old so it is kind of a part of me....
unfortunately, whether some people like it or not, if you don´t learn it you will be in trouble in the future... it´s like the international language (even though what you said about france is true... and french is the medicine language....)
Anyone who may be interested in getting help with it.. let me know.. i will be more than glad to try to make you... not love it... but appreciate it...
take care!!

ps: i have a confession: everytime i read what u write i check all the grammar (i dont mean to, it just happens... again... part of me.... sorry .....the worst part is that i´m sure i commit many mistakes myself... anyway)

[Tincho]

Originalmente publicado por cowie

jaja really? i didnt know that :P
my aunt told me so, but i thought it was cause her horrible english :X lol

They're too damn proud to speak anything that isn't French. Heh.

[Julietitaa]

I think it's really helpful for a medstudent to have at least a basic knowledge of English. Unfortunately for us, most cientific advances take place in the US or other English-speaking countries, and not everything is translated to Spanish.
But the thing is, it's pretty hard for those who have reach our age and have never had the chance to learn English before, to begin now. I particularly have grown with this as a 2nd language, it's already part of me. But when you're a kid it's a lot easier to learn another language. Kids are like sponges for this things. But, no offense, there is nothing more irritating than adults who are unfamiliar with English, trying to pronnunciate correctly English words (my mom doesn't seem to understand when I correct her. I'm starting to think her tongue is made of wood...) Anyway, I think it's very productive to know at least a little English, so those who know nothing about it and want to begin learning it now, have all my support. Although, now that I realize.. whoever who wants to learn English now from zero, is not gonna understand a thing of what I'm writing...
I also find very interesting the idea of learning German. Does anyone know if it is very difficult?

[cowie]

in my opinion germans pretty difficult :P
ive got a german friend and when she speaks im like "huh??" :P and my studients mom is german and she tried to teach me something once and i went like "ohh ok i stick with the english thanks :P"
but maybe its just me, like, id love to learn french but i have serious problems with acute accents and french has millons :P
+about the grammar, i suck at it!!!!!! i hate it lol, i do know it, but im not really use to use it a lot. americans suck at grammar pretty bad and im use to that.
when im at work i use it cause i need it :P but when im over the net writting or chatting i tend to forget about grammar, cause my friends dont pay attention to it. even more sometimes i gotta be like "hey please, use the auxiliar at least once, ok?" JAJAJAJAJA

[Lost_x_Divididos]

Originalmente publicado por Nacho.tk

I personally don't find chinese usefull for anything except for one thing: Askins for chinese food with a good pronunciation. On the opossite, I do find stuying english as a very usefull tool for the future.

Anyway, I've never seen someone who belive that is smarter just because he/she studies english.

best regards,
Nacho

Wow! You didnt even miss a key!!! (just joking!)

Guys, I really hate English, and I hate EVERITHING that has to do with it..although, it doesnt look like it, right? . But thank god (or whatever is out there...we have a huge thread out there to argue about that) he compensated me with an almost natural accent, good pronunciation, and a non-crapy grammar HOWEVER he took mi genetic map and wipped his ass with it! so..we are even!

What I wanted to say is: English is very important...but I give a damn about it. Period.

SaludoUs! ()

[cowie]

Originalmente publicado por Lost_x_Divididos

Wow! You didnt even miss a key!!! (just joking!)

Guys, I really hate English, and I hate EVERITHING that has to do with it..although, it doesnt look like it, right? . But thank god (or whatever is out there...we have a huge thread out there to argue about that) he compensated me with an almost natural accent, good pronunciation, and a non-crapy grammar HOWEVER he took mi genetic map and wipped his ass with it! so..we are even!

What I wanted to say is: English is very important...but I give a damn about it. Period.

SaludoUs! ()

lol
can i ask u something? what do u mean by "i hate everything that has to do with english" ? u mean u hate americans and english people?
cause my brother hates americans, but for real, he doesnt even say "hola" to them, and i find that pretty stupid (im not trying to start a fight!) americans are people just like US! that their president sucks BIG time has nothing to do with the way that each person is. of course there are bad people, but here too, in any country ull find horrible persons :P
i dunno i have american friends, my boyfriends american and i cant complain about anything to any of them.
sure they have different habits (really...who eats dinner at 6.30?.......) but they are regular people :P really if u kick them, they get hurt :P ive tried it JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA
sorry i needed to say that cause my brother doesnt even say hola to them and it pisses me off that he doesnt get the fact that they are people too :P
love, Agus

[Lost_x_Divididos]

Mmm I still think that they are crap, but hey...who am I to judge`em huh?

I`d rather speak about nicer things...soooo, languages are beautifull, and I`d like to speak em all! unfortunatelly, I dont have the time to learn...

Have you ever thought about this? a lot of us speak enligsh...but how many of us speaks Portuguese? I dont...and it happened to me that I was talking with a customer (he was at US) and he was Brazilian..however, he didnt speak spanish and I dont speak portuguese....so the only language we could use was english...kind of sad, isnt it? we are neibourghs and we dont know each others`s languages!

Saluds!

[Psy]

i really wonder how you guys can turn something so simple and plain as "is it english important for medicine students or not?" into an intrincated labyrinth of values and moral and ethical dilemas with every post you ever read...
you certainly cant get bored ever, do you xD?
anyway, i just wanted to say im surprised of how this thread evolved from a simple "yes or no" question in something realtively important, and worth to read.
its really a pity that i just happen to be suffering from an attack of lazyness, and therefore, im not able to fullfil my inner intentions to absorb with delightment the bunch of colourfull opinions im sure you have posted here. then, with the ache in the heart of a suffering young philosopher, i must say i will be gone for now, just to be back with a renewed strength and vitality in the days to come, to try to give you my very personal and humble opinion of what you've stated above.
said that,
farewell, my fellow partners.
Sir John McHampletonshiresondrew.
Ps: it took me like 20 mins to write that down. i just keep pretending i can talk like people in the 'gilmore girls', in a cunning, witty and extremely-fast kind of way... im just a dreaaaamerrrrr... (8)

[Tincho]

Ah, wit and a glib tongue, the dream of many men.

[Lost_x_Divididos]

Anyhow, english is usefull for papers that are published only in that language.

Saluds!

[Assia]

I enjoyed reading all what you've written, it was very interesting and even funny!!
(french people don't have problems only with english but with all languages that aren't Français... )

I don't want make Psy angry so :
do you think it's useful for a medical student to know more than one language?
why? / why not?

I say : Yes, I do
Because: ...euh...for the same reasons you quoted...(my english is unfortunately too bad and expressing my opinions by myself would be a real big circus... )

[veritush]

hello everyone! sorry if i extend too much :$
i suffer of lack of measure when writing

i must say i'm surprised about the high english level available here! ALTA CULTURA!
people! we are sooo cultured!!! our parents must be so proud! =P

the thing with english is that it's a big language. i don't mean it in the "complex" way, but that is profoundly spread worldwide. in most 3º world countries (such as our own), english is taught as a second language, because we all know it's a skill required when applying to a job, no matter the field or activity, or if you're even going to use it! that's just how the market works-

somehow being able to handle more than your own native language, speaks of your mind's flexibility and capability to handle different paradigms; and to be cross-cultured gives you an "open-minded" status so very useful when speaking of your ability in human intercourses. it's not to be smarter or better- just different. and maybe that is the difference that makes you your employer's choice

but! we are not talking about the job market right now-

the point is to be more capable of communicating. being able to read scientific papers (websites, magazines, even watching documentaries or whatever) gives you more chances to become a more updated physician. there are many tools available to learn and to research when you understand and are fluent in english (british or american, nowadays that is not that relevant)

so i must say, that it's quite important to be fluent or at least have an intermediate/advanced level of english when becoming a college-degree-holder. it's not about the career you've chosen, but about the level of education you have achieved.

for me, it's "unthinkable" (sounds like too much, but it's the word i came up with :$) of a doctor not knowing other languages, because our field is "the human". and humans not always speak perfect porteño spanish
we should be trained in languages such as the sign laguage, english, portuguese and others- because our community is quite diverse and also there is the possibility of participating in international conferences

the other day a professor handed in a cd with some papers on proteins blah blah... they are all in english. not even one translated! those who can't read english will miss the info. and that's a real pity-

Originalmente publicado por Tincho

The archaic chauvenist in me says: Women should learn romance languages. The Germanic languages are better suited to women in latex outfits with thigh high boots and leather whips.

ohhh!!! we all love naughty boys! don't we girls?
the porteño classic --> "spank me and call me martha"!?

btw: there is no other word in the english language to refer to a citizen of the US. if you are referring to a US citizen in spanish as an "americano/a" then get mad about it! (and do not be afraid of being called stupid 'cause you'll be right about complaining)
but people, as long as we are talking in english, the word my friends, is "american"- sorry!



i salute you all my dear multiskilled university mates

["·"AgUs"·"]

haber si me sacas un duda que tengo . . . .Como se traduciria bomba extracorporea: es cuando en una cirugia cardiaca conectas al paciente a una bomba que actua como corazon

desde ya muchas gracias
Agus

[Tincho]

Creo que era algo asi como "extracorporeal circulation" o algo asi. O "cardiac by pass" tambien, creo.