Using the Services of Interpreters

What is interpreting?

Interpreting involves the transfer of meaning between the spoken forms of languages, as opposed to their written forms, which are the concern of translation.

Why should I use the services of a professional interpreter?

A planned meeting with foreign language speakers may have far-reaching implications and you may foresee a negotiating or adversarial climate. Your representatives in such a meeting must have a near-native command of their counterparts’ language if they are to persuade effectively and not be misled or out-manoeuvred. Unless you or colleagues have language skills at level 4 or 5 of the National Language Standards you are likely to need an interpreter.

What should I be looking for in an interpreter?

Interpreters, unlike translators who normally work at home and with recourse to reference sources, have to work ‘in the field’, without time for reflection or reference. They therefore need to be both socially and occupationally knowledgeable and resourceful as well as linguistically competent. It is normal practice for an interpreter to interpret from a language which is foreign to them, or at least not their mother tongue, into their mother tongue. In this way, their understanding of meaning in the source language will be rendered in the language in which they are most skilful.

Interpreting services are variously classified, but the following is a widely understood breakdown of them.

What techniques do interpreters use?

Consecutive interpreting is when the interpreter translates or summarises (in total or in sections) after each of the speakers’ contributions to a conversation. It is appropriate for one-to-one and small informal group interpreting and requires no specialised equipment. It is a relatively slow process, since all contributions to the conversation are repeated in real time.

Simultaneous interpreting is when the interpreter’s version is delivered almost at the same time as the original source, with a delay only as long as it takes for the interpreter to digest the meaning of the source. This is the favoured technique for all formal meetings, since it all but eliminates time lag. It does however require the use of equipment and of the highest level of interpreting skill.

(A ‘low-tech’ version of this is ‘whispered interpreting’ whereby the interpreter keeps a member of a group or audience whose main language they do not know abreast of what is going on in a meeting, lecture or other event.)

What kinds of interpreting are there?

Business interpreting enables you and a foreign counterpart or customer to sustain conversation throughout the time you remain in contact, whether you are entertaining or visiting. This will often be consecutive interpreting and there will usually be time to dwell, with the help of the interpreter, on points needing clarification.

A business interpreter should be someone who understands the occupational context of your meeting and has the experience, if required, to operate under difficult conditions, e.g. in a noisy workshop.

Interpreting is stressful work and it is normal for a client to engage two interpreters for a full day’s service. Business interpreters are normally paid by the day or half-day. Engage your interpreters well in advance if you want to be sure of getting the best.

Public service interpreting can be carried along similar lines to business interpreting, but applies, as its name suggests, to communication between members of the public and such public services as the police, social services, the legal and medical professions and a variety of local government functions.

Conference interpreting enables all members of a formal meeting of conference to follow and contribute to the proceedings in their own language. It implies simultaneous interpreting (in some cultures also called ‘simultaneous translation’) and the use of microphones and headphones. In purpose-built venues, there are normally sound-proof booths from which the interpreters can operate with the minimum of distraction.

This is the most stressful of interpreting applications and a working stretch should not exceed half an hour. The engagement of conference interpreters needs to be planned for well in advance. A ‘consultant interpreter’ could be called in from the start to advise on the planning process.

Overview

Be clear about what commercial or other benefits you expect to gain from using interpreters;
Be prepared to brief your interpreter(s) on the background to the event and its planned for outcomes;
Alert your interpreters to any potential problems posed by the encounter (e.g. conflicts of interest, production problems, difficult personalities…)
Plan the event so that you maximise the benefits of having interpreters (e.g. they are not left idle for long periods).
Be aware of the interpreter’s expectations (working conditions, payment etc) and plan for them to be met fully and punctually.

How do I find reliable interpreters?

Competent interpreters generally belong to one or more of the following professional associations:

Membership of the above is normally associated with recognised interpreting qualifications. As a general principle anyone aspiring to work as an interpreter would have a minimum of a good honours degree in the language from which they interpret. (The above professional bodies might accept on application one of a number of acceptable alternatives judged on individual merit.)

Additionally, it would be normal for the individual to have followed a postgraduate diploma course or a course leading to the Institute of Linguists’ Diploma in Public Service Interpreting. The Institute of Translation and Interpreting requires those with qualified member status to have passed a membership test, in addition to having practised for a specified time. For full details of professional bodies ’ requirements, see their websites (links above).

CILT, the National Centre for Languages has developed a full set of National Standards in Interpreting and National Standards in Translating. For further information see our Standards pages.