Translate official letters into a parent's first language
Writer Ernie Hsiung set up a custom ChatGPT that turns English paperwork, like Medicare notices and county forms, into simple, respectful Taiwanese Mandarin for his 88-year-old mother. After his father died, he also used it the other way, to read his father's old Chinese documents.
What they did
He wrote standing instructions telling it who his mother is and how she speaks: Taiwanese Mandarin, short sentences, formal enough to be respectful. Then he pastes in each notice or form as it arrives.
How it went
He says the tool has kept its job through several model changes because it works. His mother can read what arrives without calling him for an explanation, and the reverse translation helped him piece together family history.
Worth knowing
Have a fluent person or the agency's language line check anything with a deadline or money attached. Many agencies, including Medicare, offer free interpreters. Black out case and ID numbers before you paste.
Try it yourself
Copy this into ChatGPT (or any AI assistant). Replace the parts in [brackets] with your own details.
I'm going to paste an official letter written in English. I've removed names and all case and ID numbers. Translate it into [language and regional variety, e.g., Taiwanese Mandarin] for my [age]-year-old [mother/father]. Use short, simple sentences and a respectful tone. At the top, add one line saying what the letter is and whether any action or deadline is required. Keep program names in English in parentheses. [paste letter]
Source: Ernie Hsiung, Little. Yellow. Different. (Substack), Jul 23, 2026. Read the original →
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