Interpreter DOs and DON'Ts

Being an interpreter is no walk in the park. The job comes with many responsibilities, and let’s just say that an accurate delivery of the message is one among many. 

What we’re talking about is the code of professional ethics. These are broad principles that most professional interpreters’ organizations expect the members to follow. Each of them comes with a set of rules of how interpreters should behave with their colleagues and clients. 

These behavioral rules are essential as they ensure a seamless interpretation experience. Not sure what they are? Here’s a list of some of the common DOs and DON’Ts for working with interpreters and clients!

DOs and DON’Ts of working with other interpreters

Interpretation is not a one-person job. The complexity of the process requires at least two interpreters working simultaneously at one event. Because of this, it’s important to know your responsibilities whenever you’re working with your colleagues. So, let’s learn what they are!

Stick to your slots

Dedicated slots are crucial for a seamless interpretation experience. That’s why you need to set and stick to them. So make sure that you don’t work longer slots than you agreed on, even if you feel engrossed in the speech. Why? Let’s just say that this rule helps to avoid unnecessary stress for both you and your colleague. 

Also, let’s not forget that you shouldn’t take over from your colleague without agreement. However, in case you absolutely need to make a change in your slots, clearly communicate it with your colleague in a dedicated chat. 

And did we mention that you don’t need to set up different WhatsApp chats anymore? RSI solutions, such as Interactio, provide an all-in-one platform with an integrated chat. This way, you can stay connected with your booth partner without any extra hassle.

Work in a quiet environment

It goes without saying that a quiet environment is a must for efficient interpretation. That's why you must have such space for yourself and your colleague during your assignment. How can you do that?

First, mute your devices and switch off all notifications. It's vital since your phone or other devices can accidentally go off while your microphone is on. And let's say that unanticipated noise can do more damage than just an interruption. 

Set up your workstation in a quiet spot if you're working from home. Don't sit in places that can get noisy. And once you find that perfect spot, always close the curtains, windows, and doors. You'd be surprised how well these tricks work at isolating the noise!

If you want to learn more about setting up an ideal remote working environment, check out our tips for remote simultaneous interpretation.

Maintain professional solidarity

It's important that you ensure professional solidarity with your colleagues. This means that you should support fellow interpreters and the profession's interests. So, what should you do? 

For starters, if your colleague needs assistance and you have the expertise, make sure to help them out! This can be useful when your colleague is preparing for an assignment and runs into a piece of information that is unclear to them. Your expertise in the area might just save them hours in preparation!

DOs and DON’Ts of working with clients

Now that we’ve explored the main DOs and DON’Ts of working with other interpreters let us introduce you to the main rules of working with clients!

Be impartial

Did you know that impartiality is the cornerstone of any code of ethics for interpreters? This means that you can’t mix your personal feelings or opinions with the job. 

For you not to become emotionally involved, don’t interpret for clients with the risk of conflict of interest. This means no interpretation for situations that personally involve you in the matter. Examples of such instances are medical interpretation for a family member or court interpreting involving your close friend. We agree – that can quickly become sensitive!

And let’s not forget that impartiality also means that you shouldn’t distort the message. As an interpreter, your task is to deliver accurate messages. This means that you need to stay true to the speech without cutting any content. 

Don’t breach confidentiality

If it’s courtroom or event interpretation, the same rule applies – never breach the confidentiality of the client. Not sure what that means? Let’s just say that you shouldn’t share any information about the event with outside parties. So, if you’re interpreting any sensitive information, keep it confidential.

For example, never post about your assignment on social media without permission. As innocent as it may seem, posting pictures of the event is especially a big “DON’T” with many event organizers. Why?

It may be that some organizers want to release official photos after the event or that the content of the event is sensitive. Don’t forget to ask for permission first, whatever the reason might be!

Maintain professional conduct

As an interpreter, it’s crucial that you maintain the appropriate role, appearance, and manners while working on your assignment. Let us better explain what we mean by this!

One way to maintain professionalism is to not mix up your role by maintaining professional boundaries. Remember – your number one priority is an accurate transfer of the message. Don’t be involved in any other tasks apart from interpretation. 

Also, don’t offer your opinion or perform duties outside of your expertise. However, if the client asks you to do any of this, you can explain that doing unrelated tasks would violate the code of ethics for interpreters. 

Another area of maintaining professional conduct is never working more than eight hours a day. Interpretation is a demanding task on your brain, so don’t overwork yourself. Also, during your assignment, make sure to take adequate breaks. Trust us – this simple step does wonders in avoiding interpreter fatigue! 

Don’t come unprepared

To save yourself from additional stress, always come prepared for your assignment! Begin by getting all the relevant documents and information well before the event. Go through it and clear any doubts with the organizers or event managers.

It's also important to familiarize yourself with the event location if you plan to deliver interpretation on-site. If you're interpreting remotely, have your workstation prepared. And don't forget to test the internet connection!

Another crucial aspect is to never accept assignments far from your area of expertise. If you do, simple pre-event preparation won't do you any good. A great way to avoid it altogether is to join an interpreter community that will match you to the suitable event. 

And did we mention that at Interactio, we do just that? We offer projects that match your experience, industry specialization, and budget.

Communicate with the client beforehand

Contact your client before the assignment to make your event preparation more manageable. This can also help you be less stressed on the day of the event. Are you wondering what to contact the client for? 

One great reason to communicate with your client is when you’ll be interpreting via an RSI platform. In such instances, make sure that you are trained to use it before the event. This way, you can avoid potential problems in connecting to the event.

Another reason to contact your client is to communicate about the scope of your responsibilities. Who will be responsible for the setup? Is there available technical support? These are some of the questions you should ask them. If you dedicate the responsibilities and communicate, the day of the event will go much smoother.

In short

Interpretation can be a high-demanding job. Not only do you have to perform the delivery of the message, but you also have to follow the behavioral rules for interpreters. These DOs and DON’Ts are important because they help you, your colleagues, and your clients have a seamless interpretation experience. 

Make sure to check out our article on tips and FAQs for interpreters if you want to learn more about interpretation!