Best Practices for Communicating Through an Interpreter

Source: adapted from the Refugee Health Technical Assistance Centre

Trained interpreters help to assure effective communication between people, can support effective use of time, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

16 Tips to Work Effectively Through an Interpreter

1. Introduce yourself to the interpreter.

Determine the interpreter’s level of English proficiency and professional training and request that the interpreter interpret everything into the first person (to avoid “he said, she said”). For a detailed script intended for use when working with a remote interpreter via phone or video, click here.

2. Acknowledge the interpreter as a professional in communication.

Respect their role as a professional.

3. Speak directly to the person.

During the conversation, speak directly to the person, not to the interpreter.

4. Speak more slowly.

You do not need to speak more loudly, but slowing down your natural speech can help interpreters to communicate effectively.

5. Speak at an even pace in relatively short segments.

Take the time to pause so the interpreter can interpret.

6. Assume that everything is interpreted.

Insist that everything you say, everything the person says, and everything that family members say is interpreted.

7. Do not hold the interpreter responsible for what the person says or doesn’t say.

The interpreter is the medium, not the source, of the message. If you feel that you are not getting the type of response you were expecting, restate the question or consult with the interpreter to better understand if there is a cultural barrier that is interfering with communication.

8. Many concepts you express have no linguistic or conceptual equivalent in other languages.

The interpreter may have to paint word pictures of many terms you use. This may take longer than your original speech.

9. Give the interpreter time to restructure information in their mind.

The interpreter will need to make sure they can present information in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Speaking English does not mean thinking in English.

10. Remember that who you are speaking to may have been a victim of torture or trauma.

This may also be true for the interpreter. If you need to ask questions that may be extremely personal or sensitive, explain why the information is needed and important, and that it will remain confidential.

11. Things to avoid:

• Highly idiomatic speech

• Complicated sentence structure

• Sentence fragments, changing your idea in the middle of a sentence

• Asking multiple questions at one time.

• Also avoid making assumptions or generalizations about experiences. Common practices or beliefs in a community may not apply to everyone in that community.

12. Encourage the interpreter to ask questions.

Ask the interpreter to alert you about potential cultural misunderstandings that may come up. Respect an interpreter’s judgment that a particular question is culturally inappropriate and either rephrase the question or ask the interpreter’s help in eliciting the information in a more appropriate way.

13. Avoid patronizing people.

A lack of English language skills is not a reflection of low cognitive function or a lack of education. The person you are speaking with may have university education in their own country.

14. Ask the person you are speaking with to repeat back important information.

This will help everyone make sure that the information is clearly understood.

15. Be patient.

Communication with language barriers takes time. However, the time spent up front will be paid back by good rapport and clear communication that will avoid wasted time and dangerous misunderstandings.

16. Allow time for a pre-session with the interpreter.

When working with a professional face-to-face interpreter to facilitate communication with someone with limited English language skills, a pre-session can be helpful to both you and the interpreter.

The pre-session is an opportunity to be clear about the nature of the upcoming encounter and any particular concerns that you would like to address. This provides the interpreter with the information necessary to make any adjustments in their interpreting.

For example, you may discuss whether or not the interpreting will be done in consecutive or simultaneous mode, whether there will be highly technical language that will be used, whether you need to change any content, and whether or not the content of the session is going to be highly emotional or intense. It is also an opportunity to raise any cultural concerns.

These tips were adapted from the Refugee Health Technical Assistance Centre and contributed by The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCHIC). The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care has published this comprehensive Glossary of Terms commonly used in the field of health care interpreting.

The Bow Valley Immigration Partnership has adapted this content for interpretation outside of a health care setting. For more information, please email bvip@banff.ca.