Jousting with the Lancet: Pajamas Media Interviews Professor Gilbert Burnham
I find some of Professor Burnham’s responses to the translation issues interesting. He said, “…the data were recorded in English, as all interviewers spoke English.” I teach English as a Second Language and train others to do so. Those of us in this particular field understand all too well that those who “speak” English have varying degrees of ability and proficiency. Further, any translators coming from a mid-Eastern culture, such as Iraq, will do more to save face than to admit they do not understand how to accurately translate a response. Frequently when I have used translators, I have been informed by one who is more proficient in the language than the one translating for me that my translator had either grossly understated what I said or grossly exaggerated what I had said or had gotten it so wrong that the laughter in the room, which I did not udnerstand, was caused by a completely inaccurate translation.
It seems Professor Burnham is either unable or unwilling to admit that one of his concerns in planning his study should have been to design a test for his translators that would have allowed him to defend his work rather than dismiss the importance of the translation as a non-issue.
