If you're new to the experience of hiring a professional on-the-spot interpreter to help you communicate with your peers, you'll have to take into account certain things to make sure the session turns out to be a success to all parties involved.
An experienced in-person interpreter pays attention to what is spoken, understands and delivers an accurate translation of the conversation to both parties in the relevant language pair.
Because of the importance of the communication, it's important that the interpretation services professional you are working with is a fluent speaker in the two relevant languages and is an expert connoisseur of the terminologies involved, such as business, legal or medical.
Allow us to introduce you to a few tips that will make your working relationship with your professional interpreter an easy one:
1. Ensure Interpreter Qualifications
Do your research and only work with qualified interpretation services agencies or freelance interpreters. As already explained, a fluent understanding of the languages involved is the most vital quality the interpreter must possess. Not only must he or she be fluent, he or she must boast the certifications and training to back up his or her qualifications. When in need of a legal or medical interpreter, it's important you ensure they have an expert understanding of the legal and medical vocabularies and terminologies so that every word is accurately translated.
2. Allow for Ample Time
Most sessions and conversations involving an interpreter are long and take up a lot of time. With this in mind, book the length of the session to last a significant amount of time so that all parties get the information they need out of the session. There is nothing worse than rushing an interpretation service, which would only worsen the quality of the information interpreted.
3. Enunciate Clearly
Even though it's likely the interpreter has been trained to do his or her job at a fast pace, it's still courteous and important to enunciate your words slowly and clearly. If you don't speak clearly, the interpreter will likely stop you to clarify your words, which would only prolong the interpreting process. Make sure to pause after a thought has been spoken and to implement a rule for the group that stipulates only one person speaking at a time.
4. Select Your Words Carefully
Pick your words carefully. Although professional interpreters are acquainted with idioms, slang, cultural phrases and other social cues, you still want to communicate an image of professionalism with your peer/s. Keeping in mind you are representing yourself or your company, opt to use phrases that are clear and respectful of the situation. Also take care to avoid speaking long, complex sentences that smack of slang. By using simple and concise wording, you are helping the interpreter do his or her job, smoothing the communication process for all.
5. Fully Listen to Responses Before Speaking Again
When an interpreter is doing his or her part to translate what has just been said, be respectful and don't interrupt. Listen to the full communication before initiating a response. This will make it easier for your peer/s to express their responses and statements to the interpreter and will render re-explaining or backtracking unnecessary.
6. Don't Count On the Interpreter to Respond for You
Even when the simplest questions or answers are given, don't expect the interpreter to take charge of the conversation on your behalf. An in-person interpreter will be completely neutral and isn't supposed to be involved in the conversation other than to accurately convey what is being expressed by both parties. Working with a real professional interpreter is a worthwhile experience. Knowing that your words have been accurately translated and that you fully understood what the other party was saying is very much worth the investment in booking the service. Particularly in situations when critical information is conveyed, such as in vital business, legal or medical situations, you'll find the service invaluable.