Hi Reader,
World Speaks offers translation and interpretation services for local businesses & community organizations that want to ensure that their work is accessible for everyone in our community. We know that having interpreters at events allow for everyone in the community to have the best event experience they can.
But anxiety can be high for those new to working with interpreters. You want to provide the best language access experience for your attendees, and you want to get it right.
To help you get it right, we’ve collected a few best practices so everyone in our community can use these incredible professionals in the best way possible!
(Not planning an event, or even on an event committee? Don’t worry – there are some guidelines for participants too!)
BEFORE YOUR EVENT
Don’t make interpretation an afterthought – including interpreters as part of your planning process is key. Here are four areas of planning you need to include your interpreters in:
- Budget: Interpretation is a professional skill, and you should always compensate someone for using their interpretation or translation skills! That means budgeting adequately for any interpreters you plan to hire.
- Layout: Include an interpreter’s space in your planning of the layout & location and ask your interpreters in advance what they need (and where they need to be) to do their job.
- Timing: Always allow breaks for interpreters for longer meetings or events.
- Materials: Share event materials such as presentations, agendas, names of speakers and background information with your interpreters in advance.
⭐Bonus ⭐To make your event truly language accessible, plan to work with a translator to make sure materials are provided in all the languages you are offering translation for!
AT THE EVENT
During your event there are a few practices you can act upon – and share with your presenters and audience - to make interpretation go smoothly for everyone:
- Before the Event Starts: Introduce interpreters and languages available to all participants so everyone knows what they can do!
- Tell Your Presenters: Encourage your presenters or speakers to slow down - pause and do not rush when speaking. Ask them to avoid using slang or idioms as these do not always translate well. Tell them to use a microphone or speak loudly enough for the interpreters to hear but speak to the audience – not the interpreter.
- For Participants: Encourage attendees who are asking questions to speak loudly (or provide a microphone). Request that only one person speaks at a time and ask participants to limit or refrain from side conversations or noisy distractions!
⭐Bonus ⭐ Your guidelines for presenters and participants will help individuals who are hard of hearing as well!
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Here are a few general rules that you can use when working with interpreters as well!
- Understand that interpreters are there to provide a service and not to take sides or advocate for others
- Do not assume the interpreter is from the same country or culture as the intended party
- Do not use children as interpreters or translators
- Do not assume every bilingual person can act as an interpreter or translator
- Do not ask interpreters to express their personal opinion while performing interpreting services
If you are interested in finding an interpreter for your next event, contact us!
