Hi all. We have to go to Torremolinos Town Hall to get passes for the swimming pool in Torremolinos. Can anyone tell us if we are likely to come across any English Speakers in there that can help us, as we are very limited at the moment with our spanish language. Thanks.

I would imagine so, Torremolinos has its fair share of Brits - that said I had to go to Torremolinos Hospital with my son the other day and I couldnt find a soul who could speak english - altho we got thru it !!!!!!!? I thought hospitals had translators!????

. My attitude is that there are more ways of communicating than speaking. So take a picture or a dictionary with you

Jo xxxx

Having started a volunteer translator service about 15 years ago, and at one time with five police stations covered. I am just about certain that most translator services available generally at police stations, medical centres hospitals etc are staffed and run by volunteers.

At the courts they have, or at least should have, professional interpreters, but I have been told of cases where there were none.

A lot of them are only on at certain hours though, perhaps jo went at the wrong time ;-)

I agree, I had to got to the Medical Centre here last week and managed OK, I wrote down the important things in Spanish and gave it to the doctor and she was so happy, she said it was perfect.

I can't say I have ever heard of Torremolinos Hospital, maybe the poster meant the health centre.

However, that said, maybe there are some people out there who would like to set up a volunteer translator group at their hospital, medical centre, police station etc.

Whilst it is very important that translators assisting with medical matters should have a good level of Spanish, working with the police is not so demanding.

you didn't draw a picture did you

Ah no! She was pretty impressed with what I wrote down, (I have google translate to thank for that) I had to make sure she knew all the antibiotics I am allergic to, as I didn't really feel like spending time in hospital again!

Its the main orthopedic hospital in Torremolinos "The Maritimo" one road up from the seafront at the Los Alomas end. No translators at all, in fact the consultant was very angry that I hadnt brought one with me, so I had to phone a bilingual friend and he spoke to her

Jo xxx

OK here's the challenge, who will set up a volunteer translator group at the Maritimo Hosp, Los Alamos, Torremolinos, to help people like Jo ?

......... before the 16th Feb when I have to return for my sons results LOL!!!!! ( seriously tho, I'm taking a friends daughter who's bilingual lol)


Jo xxxx

Certainly not the people who are and have been doing it for a living for a long time to put food on tables and pay the rent!

Do you not think that apart from being able to help and meet new people it could be a way of getting new business, especially if you're good!!??????


Jo xxx

How is it business new or old if it's "volunteer" work?

Its kinda networking. You get chatting to the patient, give them a business card, show them how useful and helpful you are and then they think of you when they need a translator again. My friends daughter does just that - altho she's doing it for me next week for a macdonalds, cos she's only 15 and she's a friend. But she makes quite a bit of pocket money translating for people

Jo xxx