Practical Tool: Interpretation checklist

As you prepare to use the services of an interpreter, review this checklist to help you make the experience as effective and cost-efficient as possible. This checklist is not exhaustive and every item may not apply to your situation. Consider some of these suggestions to guide you in the process.

What an interprete might ask you:

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What kind of interpretation services do you require?

  • Simultaneous - which means the interpretation is made available to all participants at the same time as the speaker. (will often make use of electronic equipment)
  • Consecutive - which is intended for an individual or a small group, the interpreter speaks after the speaker.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What time of day are the services required? (e.g. between 9 am to 5 p.m. or after working hours?)

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary How long do you require the services of an interpreter? (e.g. less than 4 hours or a full working day?)

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What is the subject matter and is there preparatory material available for review?

What you might ask an interpreter:

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What kind of technical equipment or room do you require? (this will depend on the type of interpretation services you require)

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Do you have any other special requirements?

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What experience do you have in the subject field?

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary What is your fee, will there be more than one interpreter and what costs are included? (e.g. travel expenses)

Cost considerations

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Note that rental of simultaneous interpretation equipment is provided by service providers independent from the interpreters, therefore a separate contract is necessary.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Get more than one quote for the work to be done.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Plan in advance. Avoid last-minute arrangements. With good planning in terms of equipment, rooms and events, you may be able to use a single interpretation team.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Determine in advance what the language requirements are of your participants. (e.g. provide event preregistration).

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Evaluate what parts of the event require interpretation. (e.g. plenary sessions and workshops to be interpreted or offered separately in English and French)

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Consider that normal working hours are usually from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., after which overtime must be paid.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Two interpreters are usually enough for each half day.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Rent only the equipment that you need. (e.g. order only the number of headsets that you require, use one microphone for two speakers)

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Seek out rental locations that have permanent interpretation booths to save on equipment rental costs.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Plan your event so that all parts requiring interpretation are held in the same room. This way you save the cost of rental equipment being moved or duplicated.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Have background material available for the interpreter(s) in advance for their review.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary Whispered interpretation by professionals or volunteers may be appropriate in certain situations and may save you money on interpretation fees and equipment rentals.

for convenience purposes, an image of a box is provided to be checked if necessary You may wish to contact a local school of translation and interpretation. There may be students who are available to do smaller scale interpretation as part of their study program. You may visit the following websites to locate a school of translation and interpretation near to you to inquire about this possibility.

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