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Paramedics Use Google Translate While Delivering Baby

Posted by samzenpus on from the quick-thinking dept.

First time accepted submitter myatari writes Irish paramedics transporting a pregnant Congolese woman to a maternity hospital in Cork had to use some quick thinking when the mum-to-be went into labor en-route. The two paramedics (neither of whom speak Swahili) fired up Google Translate to communicate via English-Swahili and successfully delivered baby girl "Brigid" (named after an Irish Saint no less!).

7 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. I'm a Paramedic... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...and I use translation services (either via google, or more usually a paid up telephone translation service provided by my employer) semi-regularly!

  2. Alternative by jhol13 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I wonder what would have happened had they not had Google Translate. A boy?

    1. Re:Alternative by swillden · · Score: 4, Informative

      I wonder what would have happened had they not had Google Translate. A boy?

      Depending on the circumstances, the alternative could have been death of mother and/or baby. The alternative almost certainly would have been an even more unpleasant experience for the mother, with no ability to communicate with the EMTs about her state or the progress of the birth.

      (Now let's see if my AC stalker shows up to crapflood responses to this post, too.)

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
  3. Re:Would French not have worked? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Swahili is one of the 4 official non-European languages in DRC with approximately 33 million DRC citizens speaking the language.

    So... the story makes sense... kind of. I agree though, French would have been my go-to language for someone from DRC. I've traveled in DRC (eastern side) and French was always the first thing anyone spoke to me.

  4. re: google translate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm a husband and I feel that google translate is missing the most important language: "english"->"wife". When she says "Do I look ok in this dress?" and I say "yep.", she seems to hear something different.

    It'd help clear up many misunderstandings.

  5. Re: google translate by complete+loony · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Do I look ok in this dress?

    "Ok? No, you look amazing. I can't wait to get you out of it."
    "That dress is ok, but it would look better on the floor."

    Don't answer yes or no. Remind her of how easily she can wrap you around her little finger.

    --
    09F91102 no, 455FE104 nope, F190A1E8 uh-uh, 7A5F8A09 that's not it, C87294CE no. Ah! 452F6E403CDF10714E41DFAA257D313F.
  6. A story of Saint Brigid. by XNormal · · Score: 5, Funny

    "A certain woman who had taken the vow of chastity fell, through youthful desire of pleasure and her womb swelled with child. Brigid, exercising the most potent strength of her ineffable faith, blessed her, causing the child to disappear, without coming to birth, and without pain. She faithfully returned the woman to health and to penance."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Brigid

    Was the mother of that child trying to hint something with that choice of name?

    --
    Stop worrying about the risks of nuclear power and start worrying about the risks of not using nuclear power.