Somerset Interpreting and Translation Service SITS Online

Our Principles for Translation and Interpreting

Our interpreters follow a Code of Conduct containing impartiality and confidentiality statement issued by Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).

We value our people and offer them continuous professional development opportunities to maximise their skills and knowledge.

For specific projects, all interpreters will sign the confidentiality agreement forms.

Our Code of Practice

Click here to download our code of practice for interpreters and translators.

You will need Adobe Reader to open and read our code practice, this can be downloaded from the Adobe website, click on the link below to download it.

Note: Clicking on the above link will open a new window and direct you to the Adobe website, we are not responsible for the content or availability of 3rd party websites.

GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH INTERPRETERS

Do I need an interpreter?

An interpreter and translator are two different people. An interpreter deals with spoken languages whereas a translator only deals with written texts.

An interpreter can be used for a number of reasons and situations. The primary reason an interpreter will be used is because of a language barrier. Interpreters are used for business meetings, conferences, presentations, court hearings, police questioning and many other situations where one or more people can not understand each other due to speaking different languages.

What information do I need to give the interpreter?

Initially they will need to know the following:

Date:
Start/finish times:
Place:
Attendees:
Nature of meeting:

However, to get the best out of an interpreter you need to give them as much background information as possible. For example, if the meeting involves some delicate issues they should be informed accordingly so as to prepare for them. If a presentation involves some specific terminology the interpreter must be given a copy of the presentation in order to prepare. In short, if the interpreter goes into a meeting ‘blind’ they may find it difficult to accommodate your needs.

10 tips on working with interpreters:

1. Establish and agree ground rules with an interpreter

Agree on how you want a meeting run, the number of sentences to be translated at a time, the confirmation of jargon or idioms before they are translated, when breaks will be taken and seemingly trivial matters like seating arrangements.

2. Try and brief an interpreter prior to any face-to-face meetings

Familiarise them with the whos, whats and whys. If there is any specific terminology to be used ask them if they understand it. If you foresee any tricky issues on tense topics, prepare them for it.

3. If you plan to give a speech or read from a script, give the interpreter a copy

The more familiar they are with the subject matter, the better job they will do.

4. While speaking through an interpreter always engage with your counterpart directly

Even though you cannot understand what is being said, show interest, keep eye contact and remain focused. If you start to converse through an interpreter you lose any chance of building trust, rapport and confidence.

5. Try to avoid humour

Most interpreters will agree that jokes do not translate well. If you are giving a speech and plan to start off with a joke, it is advisable to consult the interpreter first to see if they think it will work.

6. Plan your time carefully

Conversing through an interpreter makes conversations twice as long.

7. Do not rush

Interpreting is a taxing job and is mentally exhausting. To alleviate the pressure as much as possible, speak slowly and clearly.

8. Interpersonal communication, by its nature, involves emotion

An interpreter should never translate emotions. If the speaker is annoyed this will be obvious in their body language and tone. Never involve the interpreter at a personal level in any discussions and if you see an interpreter translating emotions, ask them to stop. The interpreter is there to purely translate what is being said.

9. Make sure the interpreter is clear that they are never to answer questions on your behalf

Even if the answer is simple, the interpreter should still convey this to you. If an interpreter starts to speak on your behalf, this can have numerous negative consequences such as undermining your position.

10. Ask interpreters not to change or alter what you say even if they think it may cause offence

If you plan to talk about a controversial issue let the interpreter know. Before discussing it with an audience announce that what will be said is not the opinion of the interpreter but your own. This then frees the interpreter of feeling uncomfortable and nervous.

And a few more…

• Speak slowly, clearly and concisely at all times. The interpreter may, otherwise, have to ask you to repeat parts of what you have said.

• If negotiations become heated, do not forget to pause for the interpreter – the longer you keep going, the more likely it is that there will be omissions.

• Ensure that the interpreter is seated in a place where s/he can hear everything they have to interpret without any disturbing background noise.

• Your best source of information and advice will often be the interpreter as they can point out to you where to place the delegates they are interpreting for, and where they should be seated to be able to be most effective, as well as other important details.