Need an interpreter as part of work? Communication across languages can be tricky but with the right interpreter and the correct preparation, there is nothing to fear. Here we give you 10 top tips on working with interpreters.
With people from all over the world participating in business meetings, conferences, and events, overcoming the language barrier naturally becomes the key to ensuring all attendees contribute and benefit from such occasions. The interpreter is an integral cog in the wheel of cross-cultural communication. Knowing how to hire and work with an interpreter is a must for international business personnel.
Hiring an interpreter is the easy part. Most interpreter services that provide interpreters will only work with qualified and experienced interpreters. In addition, they will ensure an interpreter is familiar with the subject matter, i.e. an interpreter specializing in medicine will not be used in an agricultural conference.
Working with an interpreter offers challenges. Interpreters, on the whole, have a stressful job. Unlike translators, they do not have the luxury of breaks and time to think. Interpreters have to perform ‘live’ and in front of an audience.
In order to ensure you get the best out of an interpreter, good communication is necessary.
Top Interpreter Tips
By way of offering some tips on working with interpreters, the following guidelines may be of some use:
- Establish and agree on ground rules with an interpreter. For example, try and communicate 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.
- Brief the interpreter beforehand. Try and familiarize 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 or tense topics, prepare them for it. Providing context allows the interpreter to anticipate terminology and nuances, ensuring a smoother process.
- Provide reference materials. 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 a job they will do.
- Engage with your counterpart directly. While speaking through an interpreter, always maintain eye contact and show interest in the conversation. Even though you cannot understand what is being said, keeping engagement fosters trust and rapport.
- Be mindful of humor. Most interpreters will agree that jokes do not translate well. If you are giving a speech and plan to start it off with a joke, consult the interpreter first to see if they think it will work.
- Plan extra time for interpretation. Conversing through an interpreter makes conversations twice as long. If you are making a presentation, remember that anything you say will first be translated. A one-hour presentation will likely take two. Compensate for this by either cutting down your presentation or speaking in shorter, sharper sentences.
- Do not rush. Interpreting is mentally exhausting. To alleviate the pressure, speak slowly and clearly. If you rush, the interpreter is more likely to become stressed, and the quality of the translation may drop.
- Respect cultural nuances. Recognize that cultural differences can influence communication styles and interpretations. Engage with the interpreter to understand any cultural subtleties that may impact the conversation.
- Use the ‘Teach-Back’ method. After conveying important information, ask the interpreter to have the listener repeat what was understood. This ensures that the message was accurately received and allows for clarification if necessary.
- Ensure accurate interpretation without alterations. Ask interpreters not to change or alter what you say, even if they think it may cause offense. If you plan to discuss a controversial issue, let the interpreter know. Before addressing an audience, clarify that what will be said is your opinion, not the interpreter’s. This frees the interpreter from discomfort and ensures clarity.
These guidelines should enable you to get the best out of your interpreter and, consequently, your business meeting, presentation, conference, or event. If you have any questions about interpreting services, please do not hesitate to contact us.