Tools and translation

Two tools were selected for the translation process, the Mini-Cog and the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS). RUDAS was already used in Greenland n a Danish version as Danish is the language spoken by health care staff in Greenland. Thus, the source language was Danish for the RUDAS and English for the Mini-Cog, and the target language was Greenlandic. The translation process is illustrated in Figure 1.

A schematic presentation of the translation process

First, a Greenlandic translator from the Therapy Department at Queen Ingrid’s Hospital translated source language versions to Greenlandic (1). This translator had some routine in conducting tests for cognitive impairment. The first version in Greenlandic (1) was reviewed by a Greenlandic doctor (author IK) to ensure the translation fits the Greenlandic context (2). A second certified translator translated Greenlandic (2) to Danish (2). This translator was blinded to the original versions. A second Greenlandic doctor (author PN) reviewed the process (Figure 1(d)) and adjusted the final Greenlandic (3) based on Danish (2) and Greenlandic (2). The certified translator performed back-translation of Greenlandic (3) to Danish (3). The first Greenlandic author (IK) compared the final version of the tools with the originals and approved Greenlandic (3) before implementation. All four who were involved in translation are trilingual in Greenlandic, Danish, and English.