BRANDON COMMUNITY LANGUAGE CENTRE
Accurate, Confidential, Professional
"Your words are heard"
Tips for Working with Interpreters
*Guidelines to Understanding the Process*
- Professional interpreters will provide a short introduction in English and the target language each time they provide service. Please don’t rush this process as it is very important.
- Appointments utilizing interpreters generally require extra time. If possible please allow double the time you would normally allot for the appointment.
- Interpreters are paid for their time, whether sitting in a waiting room, court room, etc. or in the actual appointment. Please take this into consideration when scheduling appointments and providing service to clients.
- Service providers must be present when interpreters are interpreting information on forms provided during appointments.
- Speak directly to the Limited English Speaker – not to the Interpreter. The Interpreter is there to bridge the communication between two or more parties and is not to be involved in the conversation. It is best to think of the interpreter as not being present.
- Refrain from using “Tell him” or “Tell her”. Pretend the Interpreter is not present and you are having a direct conversation with the other party. Speak in first person – “I am happy that you could come today.” versus “Tell her I am happy that she could come today.”
- Do not ask the Interpreter information about the Limited English Speaker. For example, if the Interpreter arrives to the assignment first, do not pose questions such as, “Where does Mrs. Hernandez live? Do you know her phone number?” The Interpreter maintains confidentiality at all times, unless required by law, and in doing so does not share information.
- Avoid using idioms, similes, metaphors, colloquialisms, i.e.:
- That’s about as useful as screen doors on a submarine.
- It’s like killing two birds with one stone.
- Don’t put the cart before the horse.
Finding parallels of meaning in the other language(s) is very challenging and can impede the flow of communication.
- Speak in your usual manner but try to use shorter sentences to assist the Interpreter to fully interpret your utterance into the other language(s). Speaking loudly or over-enunciating is not helpful.
- Be mindful of cultural variances. Shaking hands and maintaining direct eye contact may be considered inappropriate or even rude in some cultures.
- If you have any concerns about the role of the Interpreter, please contact the Brandon Community Language Centre. We want to provide the best service possible and your feedback is important to us.
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