Partnering with Interpreters
for Best Possible Outcomes
Yvette Burton
Burton Translation and Education Services, LLC
Objectives
• Review best practices for working with individuals of
other cultures
• Review the time-cost-quality triangle principle
• Discuss best practices for partnering with an
interpreter to ensure best possible outcomes
• Assess the quality of an interpreting session and the
interpreter
Some Data
o Latinos in Polk County 2015- 38,305
o Asians in Polk County 2014 – 19,096
o Refugees – Burma, Sudan, Liberia, Iraq, Bhutan
o Languages Spoken: Spanish, Karen, Burmese, Somali, Karenni,
Nepalese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Laotian, Hindi, Tagalog, Tamil,
Cushite
Working with People from
Other Cultures
• Challenges
• Rewards
School in El Salvador
Working with People
from Other Cultures
Working with People from
Other Cultures
o Where are they from?
o Where have they lived? Refugee camp? The
country side?
o What is their education level?
o Are they literate?
Communicating with People
from Other Cultures
o Repeat and summarize the major points
o Use diagrams, pictures, or translated materials to
increase understanding
o Clarify that you have been understood or that you
have understood the person
Use Basic Communication
Concepts
o Talk in plain language
o Organize information so the important
terms come first
o Define technical terms (motion, waiver,
hearing, etc.)
o Use active voice
Do I Need an Interpreter?
How do I Know if I Need an
Interpreter?
o The person tells you they speak “little English”
o The person nods or answers ‘Yes’ to all
professional comments and questions
How do I Know if I Need an
Interpreter?
o The person does not speak English at home
o The person prefers materials in a language other
than English
Still Not Sure if You Need an
Interpreter?
o Ask a question that requires the person to answer in
a sentence
o Avoid YES or NO questions
o Paraphrasing
Keep in Mind
o Length of residency is not a good indicator of
proficiency
o Cultural aspects
o English proficiency may decrease due to stress,
illness, and aging
Yes…This Individual Needs An
Interpreter
Choices, choices, choices…
Use of Family Members
o Inaccuracy of interpretation
o Not neutral parties
o Conflict of interest
o Advice giving or advocacy
o Unethical to use children (18 or younger)
Using a Professional
Interpreter
o CLAS Standards
o Equally participate in or benefit from services offered
o Meet legislative, organizational, and accreditation
standards
Time - Cost – Quality
Triangle Principal
What’s Next?
The Profession of
Interpreting and Translating
Interpretation and Translation
What is the Difference?
o Interpreter
o Translator
o Transliterator
o Transcreator
Can Bilingual Individuals
Interpret and Translate?
Interpreters
o
o
o
o
Mental dexterity
Short term memory
Verbal agility
Able to follow the
speaker
Translators
o Write well
o Detail oriented
o Analysis of text
o Excellent grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and syntax
Fast Thinking!
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
You need to be compliant
Forgetful
Embarrassment
Confusion
It takes time to set up
He will pull through
Don’t put it off
Emancipation
We will wait for him to catch on
Exercise
Simultaneous Interpretation
Sight Translation
o Oral translation of a written document,
sometimes with little or no preparation
o Usually more complicated materials. Require
greater need of preparation
o What can you do?
Exercise
Sight translation
The Role of the
Interpreter
The Interpreter’s Role
o The basic purpose of the interpreter is to
facilitate the communication between
people that speak a different language
The Interpreter’s Role
o Code of Ethics
Less than Appropriate Roles
o Speaking on behalf of the client
o Filling out forms
o Transporting the client
o Assessing client’s state of mind, truthfulness
of statements, etc.
Partner with the Interpreter:
To Ensure Best Possible
Outcomes
Partner with the Interpreter:
To Ensure Best Possible Outcomes
• Collaboration is integral to providing
effective service
• Smooth communication with client
• Increase client’s compliance
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
Begins before the Session
o Allow enough time for the session
o Explain the nature of the encounter - Why?
o Have a brief meeting with the interpreter
What should you discuss?
o Ask to explain cultural beliefs or customs that may
impact the client’s reaction to you
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
Positioning
Interviewer
Interviewer
Interpreter
Client
Client
Interpreter
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
Etiquette
o Address the client
o Maintain primary eye contact with the client
o “Tell her…”, “Ask him…”
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
Etiquette
o Be aware of the client’s non verbal body
language and gestures
o Speaking aloud [to yourself]
o Do not raise your voice. Speaking louder does
not help
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
During the Session
oPause after two or three sentences
o “Better safe than sorry”
o Passive voice vs Active voice
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
During the Session
o Figurative Language (she was caught red handed)
o Ambiguities (Where was your child?) Child could
mean son, daughter, boy, girl, minor
o Asking more than one question at a time
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
During the Session
o Do an intakes, explain consents, or summarize WITH the
interpreter present
o Don’t tell the interpreter not to interpret something you said
o Don’t ask the interpreter to keep the client company or to escort
them anywhere
Collaborating with the Interpreter:
After the Session
o What are the benefits?
ALWAYS
o Document the use of an interpreter on the client’s records
o Document when the client refuses an interpreter
o Document when you are unable to get an interpreter face
to face or by phone
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
o Iowa - Limited requirements for training,
experience, or licensing for interpreters
o Medical Interpreters, Court Interpreters,
Community Interpreters
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
o Interpreter arrives on time
o Is dressed appropriately
o Wears a name tag
o Conducts a pre-session and/or post session
o Keeps a notepad and pen ready to take notes
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
o Is fluent in both languages
o Speaks clearly and at a reasonable speed
o Asks questions for clarification
o Does not censor the vocabulary used
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
o Enters when you enter, exits when you exit
o Maintains confidentiality principles
o Does not have side conversations with the
client
Assessing the Quality of the
Interpreting Session
• Can I manage a poorly interpreted session? What are
my options?
• I would rather not have the interpreter back. What
do I do?
• I have a great interpreter. How can I keep him/her
for my appointments?
Conclusion
The interpreter’s role is to facilitate the
communication so YOU can do your job
competently.
Partner with the interpreter to increase
client compliance and satisfaction of
services.
What Questions May I
Answer?
Thank you for your time!
Yvette Burton
[email protected]
515-419-3475