How do you describe your symptoms when you don't speak the local language?

Tell it in the language you think in, and bring a written summary in the local language to the appointment. Stick to what happened, when, and how it feels — you do not need medical words to be understood.

• Say it in your own language first — that is where the detail is.
• Describe where it is, how long it has lasted and what makes it worse.
• Use everyday words. 'It burns when I breathe in' says more than a medical term you are unsure of.
• Bring a written summary so you are not searching for words on the spot.
• You can ask for an interpreter. This does not replace one — it makes the conversation easier.

How it works

Mia Home understands speech in 34 languages and collects what you say in a timeline. You can show or read out the summary at the appointment. Nothing is added that you did not say.

Mia Home is administrative support, not an interpreting service for medical conversations and not medical advice. It does not diagnose and makes no assessment. In an emergency, call the emergency number where you are.