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E: info@easy-translations.co.uk    

T: 0845 200 7832    F: 0870 762 7312

Raigarh House - 11 Baynton Meadow - Emersons Green - Bristol - BS16 7EL

Please don’t assume that a person always needs an interpreter! Wherever possible, check with him or her what is required.  

When to use an Interpreter:

·        If requested by your client.

·        If you feel the client is not understanding you fully

·        Legal requirements

Issues to address:

Confidentiality: Make sure the Interpreter understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.  You can ask the Interpreter to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Please click on the link for a copy.

Accuracy: The interpreter should interpret everything being said from both side including physical expressions.  Sometime the interpreter may have to have a conversation with the client to clarify or to understand a statement fully, in such event the Interpreter should explain the reasons for it.

Neutrality: The interpreter should maintain neutrality throughout the session, and that should be made clear to the client.

Non-advocacy: Unless the interpreter has a advocacy role, pre-agreed by both parties, the interpreted should not ‘speak’ for any one, should not add or omit anything.  Interpreter should not make any judgement on ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ things to say.

Ð Children or relatives should never be used as Interpreters.

While booking please provide the following information to the interpreter:

·        Date, time, address & duration of the assignment.

·        The contact name and telephone number of the person in charge of the interpreting session. (whom to call in case of emergency)

·        Check if the interpreter is known to the client and is there any risk of impartiality being compromised.

·        Brief the interpreter in advance on the subject matter of the assignment.

During session:

·        Greetings: A cultural greeting is always a good start, your interpreter can help you with this!

·        Explain who you are and what your job is.

·        Introduce the interpreter.

·        Get the pronunciation of the name of your client right

·        Seating arrangements: You and your client should be sitting face to face and the interpreter should sit in between without obscuring anyone of you.

·        Speak directly to your client as if the interpreter is not there.

·        Interpreters should never be left alone with the client. If necessary the interpreter should ask to wait somewhere separately. If there is any unavoidable reason for the interpreter to be left alone with the client, the person responsible for the interview should explain to the client (through the interpreter) that the two parties should not speak to each other and ask them to sit apart from each other.

·        Interpreter should explain his or her role and clarify the issues of  confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy and non-advocacy to the client.

·        The interpreter should not have any private conversation with the person to be interviewed or with the person’s representative.

·        Interpreter should reassure the client that if any note is taken it will be destroyed after the session.

·        If the interviewee is accompanied by a friend or relative the interviewer should not allow this third party to intervene in the interpreting process.

·        Do you know about the culture of your customer? It’s helpful to be wised up in advance. The Intranet has useful information on the different religious beliefs and naming systems.  For example, did you know that a Muslim woman may wish to be seen by another woman rather than a man? Or that it is a sign of respect among many communities not to stare straight at another person. In Western culture this respect can be construed as rude or even “shifty”.

·        Use short sentences and allow time for interpreter to interpret.

·        Use plain language and avoid jargon if at all possible.

·        Stay in control – don’t allow the interpreter and the customer to have long conversations without letting you know what they’re saying.

·        If you are unsure about any expressions or body language, ask the interpreter to clarify it.

·        Allow short breaks in lengthy sessions.

·        Make sure you summarise at the end of the meeting all the issues you’ve agreed.

After the session:

·        Let the client know what will happen next.

·        Have a short feedback session with the Interpreter,

·        Sign the interpreter’s timesheet and advice the Interpreter on invoicing.

·        Make appointment for next assignment if necessary.

Please use the links on the HELP page for more information and support.

Acknowledgement: This Good Practice Guidelines was drawn together from a number of sources in literature and Codes of Practice used by other services such as National Register of Public Service Interpreters; Chartered Institute of Linguists; Fife Community Interpreting Service; Glasgow Interpreting Service; Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority Interpreter Service; Newham Language Shop, London; Scottish Translation, Interpreting and Communication Forum and Sussex Interpreting Service.