10 Tips For Working With Interpreters

10 Tips for Working with Interpreters in Team Decision Making (TDM) Meetings

By Stefanie Nieto Johnson

1. Interpreting vs. Translating Make sure that you understand the difference between "interpreting" and "translating". Interpreting provides the facilitation of oral communication from one language to another. Translating, on the other hand, deals with written texts. Not all good interpreters are good translators and vice versa!

2. Use Qualified Interpreters Do not depend on children, relatives, or friends to interpret. Relatives & friends are not neutral: they have their own opinion about the situation and therefore make very poor interpreters. It takes more than being bilingual to be a good interpreter. One has to think in two languages at the same time and present the information in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

Keep in mind that although an interpreter may be certified in the language, they are not necessarily proficient in or familiar with Child Welfare processes and practice.

3. Have a Brief Pre-Interview Meeting with the Interpreter

It is important to meet with the interpreter prior to the meeting to introduce yourself, explain the purpose of the meeting, clarify expectations, and discuss briefly what you will be talking about giving the interpreter key background information - the gist of the situation and topic of the conversation.

In TDM meetings it is important to specifically let the interpreter know the sensitive nature of the conversation, for example sexual abuse and physical abuse, so that they are not blindsided or taken aback. If the interpreter is struggling with his/her own surprise and feelings then it can adversely affect the quality of the interpretation.

It is also important to have a conversation about whom the interpretation is for, where the interpreter should sit, and mode of interpretation (simultaneous, equipment used, etc). It is also a good idea to arrange a signal that the interpreter can use if something is not clear or they need you to pause.

4. Speak Directly to the Other Party Although speaking via an interpreter, be sure the Child Welfare staff talk to the person directly and not to the interpreter. Not only is this respectful, but vocal intonations, facial expressions and body language still convey a great deal of information regardless of language barrier.

Team Decision Making (TDM) Toolkit, Version 1, May 2010 For information about toolkits, contact CalSWEC http://calswec.berkeley.edu. For more information about training or practice, contact RCFFP, 530-757-8579. 5. Speak Clearly and at an Even Pace Make sure you speak clearly and distinctly so that the interpreter can understand you. The best place for the interpreter is somewhere close to you and the other party or between the two of you. Speak in your normal voice (not louder or slower!). Avoid complicated sentence structures and changing your thought in the middle of the sentence.

6. Pause for Interpretation Do not forget to pause after 3-4 sentences to give the interpreter an opportunity to interpret what you have just said. Slow down! This is for your own benefit: the more you speak without giving the interpreter a moment to interpret, the greater is the chance that the interpreter will miss some important details. 7. Avoid Acronyms, Idioms, and Jargon Avoid acronyms, idioms, jargon, and cultural references that the person may not understand. Be aware that many concepts you express have no linguistic equivalent in other languages or may not even exist in the other language, for example Foster Care, Concurrent Planning, Termination of Parental Rights, etc. Sometimes it might take a few sentences to interpret one word, as the interpreter will have to use some kind of explanation to interpret your term or concept.

If you must use professional jargon, explain it to the interpreter before the meeting. Encourage the interpreter to ask questions when not sure of a term, phrase, concept, etc. Say the same thing in different words if your question or statement is misunderstood, or rephrase your question.

8. Avoid Side Conversations Have only one person speak at a time and avoid side conversations. Expect that everything you say will be interpreted. If you do not want something to be interpreted, do not say it!

9. Be Alert to Cultural, Religious, and Class Issues Encourage the interpreter to alert you about potential cultural misunderstandings. If it seems to you that the other party simply cannot understand something after you have explained it several times, you may need some help from the interpreter. The problem might be in cultural differences. In this case the interpreter may play a role of a cultural broker and help explain the concept to you or the other party.

When hiring an interpreter, be sensitive to cultural, religious, and class differences as well as varieties and dialects of certain languages. It is important to keep in mind that although people may be from the same country, they may not be from the same social class. People may feel shame or embarrassment having to convey such personal information to a person of a different social status. Many families come from tight knit communities and having someone interpret from the same community may be a reason to hold back information. This reluctance to divulge information may have nothing to do with the social worker or the reasons for the interview/meeting, but it may be misinterpreted as resistance, uncooperativeness, or not being forthcoming.

Consider the Child Welfare situation and the non-English speaker when deciding whether a male or female interpreter would be more appropriate for a particular meeting. In some cultures and religions, female interpreters might not feel comfortable interpreting for a male, male participants may not want to share intimate, personal information with a female interpreter, or vice a versa.

Team Decision Making (TDM) Toolkit, Version 1, May 2010 For information about toolkits, contact CalSWEC http://calswec.berkeley.edu. For more information about training or practice, contact RCFFP, 530-757-8579. 10. Be Patient Providing information across a language barrier takes time and can make your meeting run longer. However, clear communication is key and misunderstandings can be avoided by thoughtfully preparing the interpreter before the meeting.

Team Decision Making (TDM) Toolkit, Version 1, May 2010 For information about toolkits, contact CalSWEC http://calswec.berkeley.edu. For more information about training or practice, contact RCFFP, 530-757-8579.