While the use of metaphors, euphemisms, and grammatical constructions to express the patient's perspective are all common cross-linguistic patterns, the use of specialized vocabulary is not. Medical terminology is typically learned through formal education or training, and is not part of the everyday vocabulary of most people.

Moral etiology is the belief that illness is caused by moral failings or wrongdoing. This belief is often reflected in the language used to talk about illness, with words for "illness" and "sin" being derived from the same root.

The way that a language talks about illness can influence how people perceive and experience illness. For example, in some languages, illness is seen as a temporary state that can be cured, while in other languages, illness is seen as a permanent condition that cannot be changed. This difference in perception can have a significant impact on the way that people cope with illness.

The translation of medical information across languages can be a challenging task. One of the challenges is that different languages often have different ways of talking about the same medical condition. For example, the English word "cancer" can be translated into a variety of words in other languages, each with its own unique meaning and connotations.

While translators may face challenges due to different languages having different ways of talking about the same medical condition, highly specialized and technical medical terminology, and a lack of medical knowledge, they typically do not face challenges due to a lack of familiarity with the culture of the target language.