File
Suárez-Serrano C.1, Gómez-Conesa A.2
1University of Seville, Department of Physiotherapy, Seville, Spain, 2University of Murcia, Department of Physiotherapy, Murcia, Spain
Background: The WCPT Glossary, in its updated 2014 version 2.1 has been developed to ensure consensus on terminology and assist in the international interpretation of most of the terms used in the field of Physiotherapy. It is a resource to be used as a support for organizations of countries, regions and subgroups belonging to the WCPT.
Originally developed in English, the glossary of terms is used in a significant number of Spanish-speaking countries, both Spain and Latin American countries.
Originally developed in English, the glossary of terms is used in a significant number of Spanish-speaking countries, both Spain and Latin American countries.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to translate and adapt the WCPT Glossary in order to promote its use among physiotherapists in Spanish-speaking countries.
Methods: It is a process of translation and cultural adaptation of the WCPT Glossary into Spanish, which began in July 2014 and finished in September 2016. The original English glossary was translated independently by two translators into Spanish. Both versions were compared in a meeting by two independent observers and experts (both PhD, PT) leading to the initial version in Spanish.
Subsequently, 231 terms and definitions in the glossary, the version in English (original) as well as the Spanish (initial version), were distributed among a panel of Experts comprised of 17 bilingual Spanish physiotherapists, comparing both versions, agreeing with the proposal or providing an alternative translation.
Then, the two independent observers, on comparing the initial version in Spanish with the contributions made by the Expert Panel, selected the most appropriate terms.
Subsequently, observers agreed on grammatical and semantic revision of the terms, resulting in the final version of the glossary of terms in Spanish.
Results: The changes between the original English version and the expert panel version were minimal, mainly due to the interpretation of the concept in Spanish.
As for grammatical, semantic and cultural adjustments to adapt to Spanish WCPT Glossary, the changes have been many so as to contemplate both the translation and the language adaptation, and to maintain the sense of the term in the original language.
The Spanish version of the WCPT Glossary contains the terms and definitions of the original document and provides an annex with some terms whose definitions do not correspond in Spanish (eg, the term associate professor).
Conclusion(s): The Spanish WCPT Glossary is a valid document for use by institutions, organizations, and physiotherapists, in Spanish-speaking countries. The Spanish version will be updated as changes are made in the original English version.
Implications: The use of the Spanish version of WCPT glossary foster a common language and dissemination of specialized terminology in Physiotherapy, in the area of using the Spanish language
Funding acknowledgements: The Spanish Association of Physiotherapists(AEF) for its institutional and financial support of translators.The panel of experts for their generous assistance.
Topic: Professional issues
Ethics approval: Not applicable
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
