The interpreter – on your side or not?
Strictly speaking, the interpreter is on no-one’s side – in fact one of the tenets of best practice interpreting is that of impartiality. The role that the interpreter plays is that of a neutral linguistic mediator, just passing the message as accurately as possible from one speaker to another. They’re interested in the communication process rather than the outcome of the conversation between the two parties. The outcome is up to you and your client – just as it would be if you both spoke the same language.
When impartiality is compromised, how can you tell? It can be tricky, but above anything else, hiring a trained professional is one way of being sure it’s not. If you’re relying on the family or friends of the non-English speaker, you’re far less likely to get neutral interpreting. That’s simply because there is a very human, emotional attachment involved, and it almost always gets in the way of impartiality. There are two main roles that friends and family members tend to play:
- Advocate: the friend/family member is concerned to see that the client gets what they want or need. They become an advocate for the person, tidying up their responses or questions to make them sound better or more appropriate, or even offering unsolicited advice. The message you get might sound really good, but not be at all what your client actually said.
- Gatekeeper: in this situation the client doesn’t get the unvarnished message you intended. Consider the impact of the power difference if the “interpreter” is the child of the client; or the husband of the client; or the employer or employee. It may be that in order to spare the client’s feelings, the family member/friend leaves out facts that they judge to be inappropriate, or they soften the message so that the client is not upset or fearful. Alternatively, they change the message so as not to lose face, or because it does not conform to their relative’s cultural practices.
If you’re not sure, keep asking questions to test what you’re hearing. Insist that the interpreter stick to interpreting – nothing more, nothing less. If you really think the interpreter is continuing to get in the way, stop using them.
When your message is being passed through a professional interpreter, one of his/her aims is to maintain transparency. In other words, you should always have a good idea what’s going on during the course of the interaction. If there is occasion for the interpreter to have a conversation with the non-English speaker, for example clarifying something said, then the content of that conversation should be reported back to you in English. The reverse should also be the case – that is, English side conversations between you and the interpreter should be reported back in the other language. Additionally, the responses you get to your questions or comments should be in tune with what you expect, and aligned with the body language and linguistic tone of the other party*.
Remember that neutrality applies to the interpreter’s relationship with you as well. Take care that you don’t ask them to step outside of their role, for example, asking the interpreter to give advice to your clients or explain a procedure to them while you complete another task; requesting the interpreter’s personal opinion about what a client has said. Allow them to remain impartial.
Keep an eye on proceedings yourself: get the best outcome for you and your client by maintaining control.
* There are some exceptions to this, for example in mental health consultations or in situations where cognitive function is being assessed.
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Interpreting New Zealand Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 18 October 2016
L5, 186 Willis Street
Wellington
5.30 to 7.30 pm
If you are interested in supporting the goals of Interpreting New Zealand we welcome you to attend our AGM.
Our guest speaker this year is Mr Andrew Lockhart, National Manager Refugee and Protection – Immigration, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. He will present the findings and recommendations from the Interpreter Services Project conducted by MBIE earlier this year. The findings have the potential to influence the way in which interpreters are trained and engaged, and so are important for our future operations.
To assist us with catering, RSVP to Lak on (04) 916 2462 or info@interpret.org.nz
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People Say about us:
"The success of our work is very dependent on the interpreter and we have always found those provided by Interpreting New Zealand to have been put through a robust selection process, to be well trained and supported. We also find the staff from the CEO to the call centre to the support staff to be efficient, and customer focused.
Overall we consider the team at Interpreting New Zealand an integral part of the Refugee Trauma Recovery team."
Jeff Thomas
General Manager
Refugee Trauma Recovery
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