It quickly became apparent that the woman in front of me didn't speak much English. After finally getting it worked out that she owed $20 for her appointment, the nurse at the desk asked her to go to the next window to schedule a good time for an ultrasound. The was a pause. "I go work one o'clock."
As I paid my bill it was hard not to listen to the conversation at the other window.
"Yes, but the doctor believes you have a blood clot. You need to have an ultrasound today."
"No today. I go work"
"Ma'am this is very serious, you could have a blood clot. You need an ultrasound today."
"I go work one o'clock"
"If this is a blood clot you could die. You need an ultrasound today."
"No today. I go work one o'clock"
As I was walking out of the office, the nurses were scrambling to call an interpreter.
This is why it is important to speak the language of the country you are living in. Whether you are an immigrant in America or an expat in France.
