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If you’ve recently made the decision to hire a professional interpreter to help you with your establishment’s needs, then you should be congratulated on an excellent decision. The right interpreter can bring a lot to the table when it comes to helping you connect with as many different people as possible. However, knowing that you need interpretation services you can count on, and actually finding the right person for the job are two different matters. And then you’ll need to determine which of the interpretation service types best suits your needs at the moment.
But for the time being, let’s return to the topic of interpreter selection. One should bear in mind that a truly useful interpreter is more than just someone who is fluent in more than one language. Clearly, there’s a fine art to hiring the right person. Here we’ll discuss what an interpreter really does, as far as what separates valuable interpretation services from mediocre ones.
Different Interpretation Service Types
If you’ve never worked with interpretation services, you may not yet be aware that there are multiple types of interpretation methods. Before you hire a given provider, it’s a good idea to evaluate which of the following interpretation service types would work best for you and your business, in tandem with your goals.
Simultaneous Interpretation
In simultaneous interpretation sessions, the translator listens to the material to be translated, and then delivers a spoken interpretation as the dialogue unfolds. This method is commonly used during lectures, meetings, and media gatherings – events that require the interpreter to keep pace with everything else going on. Interpreters that specialize in this type of service need to be capable of listening and speaking at the same time.
Consecutive Interpretation
Consecutive interpretation sees the interpreter listening carefully to what one person is saying, and allowing them to finish, before relaying the interpreted information to the other party. This method is most useful in settings like one-to-one meetings, dinner parties, media interviews, and job interviews. It is also the method most commonly used over the telephone.
Whispered Interpretation
This type of interpretation, commonly known as chuchotage, is not as popular or common as the above options, but it can be useful during shorter meetings. It involves the interpreter whispering the information into the ear of the recipient instead of speaking it aloud for all parties to hear.
Proper Credentials and Training
As touched on above, it’s not enough for an interpreter to be bilingual. He or she also needs to be properly trained in regards to everything that goes into proper industry-standard interpretation work. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, interpreters must be bilingual and completely fluent in both languages. They must also have a bachelor’s degree, as well as complete and comprehensive on-site training.
You’ll also want to make sure that the service you hire works with accredited interpreters. Since 2013, there hasn’t been a standardized certification process for newer interpretation professionals. However, individual groups that offer accreditation include the American Translators Association, The United States Department of State, and the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators.
Your Individual Needs
It’s also vitally important that you thoroughly examine your needs and the ongoing needs of your company before you decide on an interpretation service provider. What settings do you anticipate your interpreter needing to be able to handle? Are you primarily looking for someone to assist with phone interpretations? Are you looking for someone to help within a medical setting, a business setting, or a legal setting (as with courtroom proceedings)?
You’ll want to make sure that the your provider’s interpreters are not only completely fluent in the languages you require, but well-versed in industry specifics. For instance, a medical translator must be trained and experienced in regards to medical concepts and terminology, in addition to language and interpretation. A legal translator must thoroughly understand legal jargon and procedure, in addition to being able to fluently translate it.
Ideal Personal Qualities
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to make sure the interpretation professional you work with has the personality and demeanor for the job. Interpreters are meticulous, detail-oriented individuals. They understand that “close enough” won’t cut it. Interpretation requires a proper understanding of and appreciation for every detail, nuance, and inflection when it comes to communications.
The best interpreters are also expressive, people-oriented professionals who genuinely enjoy language and speaking. You want someone who is personally invested in what they do. Such a person will take as much pride in seeing your projects succeed as you do.
One of the best ways to ensure you get an interpreter that hits all the right notes is to hire through an established interpretation agency with a solid reputation for doing excellent business. They will assist you with identifing the types of interpretation services you need. Explore your options today!
Consider a Partnership with TrueLanguage
Are you looking for a partnership with a language service provider? If so, you may wish to consider TrueLanguage. We offer ISO-certified state-of-the-art business translation services that are on budget, on time, and to the exact specification. Every time. Or perhaps you’re just looking for a cost-free, no-obligation estimate for your next translation project. Either way, we’d love to hear from you!
