Interpreters Training ODJFS Bureau of Civil Rights

Topics of Discussion Skills and Qualities of a professional interpreter Role of the Interpreter Standards Available training and certification 11/10/2018

Skills of a Professional Interpreter Cultural competency Awareness and respect for all parties involved Mastery of the professional and colloquial terminology Assists in creating mutual trust and accurate communication Enables effective provision of services and equal access 11/10/2018

Introduction Access to services is one of the greatest obstacles facing refugees, immigrants, and other Ohio residents of Limited English Proficiency Absence of qualified interpreters results in serious misunderstandings, denial of benefits, as well as discourages LEP clients from seeking services they are eligible for. 11/10/2018

A professional interpreter is a specially trained professional who has proficient knowledge and skills in English and at least one other language and employs that training in a social services or related setting in order to make possible communication among parties using different languages 11/10/2018

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Prohibits discrimination by federally funded entities based on: Race Color National Origin

Policy Guidance Under National Origin, Title VI of the Civil Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against “Limited English Proficiency” (LEP) individuals.

Limited English Proficient (LEP) Is an individual who is unable to speak, read, write or understand the English language at a level that permits him or her to interact effectively with health and social services agencies and providers

Agency Examples Hospitals Nursing Homes Health Service Providers Human Service Providers Contractors, Sub contractors Recipients of Federal funds

Interesting Facts English is the predominant language in the U.S. More people are learning English than ever before 32 Million in the U.S. are “ LEP” LEP individuals face many barriers to critical services

Types of illegal Discrimination Intentional Disparate Impact the policy or activity has a discriminatory effect and/or chilling effect.

Examples Denying benefit or opportunity to participate Providing different services/ benefits Restricting privileges Using policies/procedures that have a disparate impact Asking non-required questions

Available Training and Certification No Certification in the State of Ohio Interpreters receive Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of: Attending 24 hours of Basic Training Post-test

Process for qualifying as an Interpreter Interpreter Training Screening/Assessment Post test Field Training Certificate of Training completion Employment orientation Regulatory Standards Continued professional education Agency records

Interpreter Definitions Interpreters / Translators

Interpreting vs. Translating Interpreter: is a person who transfers in spoken or signed form a message from one language to another

Interpreting vs. Translating Translator: a person who translates WRITTEN documents from one language into another

Question What are some of the advantages that a translator has over an interpreter? Works along at his/her own speed on written text Can take time to find a word in a dictionary or other reference works

Other Advantages Can leave work and come back the next day to correct it May be a part of a team, where improvements can be suggested

Question Can a person who is a good interpreter automatically be a good translator or vise versa? Why?

Definitions What does it mean to be bilingual? A person that is able to communicate (with varying degrees of proficiency) in two (or more) languages.

Definitions What is an Ad Hoc Interpreter? A bilingual staff person who is called away from his/her regular responsibilities to interpret as needed

Definition What is the difference between a Professional Interpreter and a Certified Interpreter? Professional Interpreter: has the appropriate training and experience and is able to interpret with consistency and accuracy and adheres to the code of ethics and standards

Definition Certified Interpreter: a professional interpreter who is certified as competent by a state or government agency through rigorous criterion-referenced testing Which one will you hopefully become here in Ohio?

Interpreter Language Skills Source Language (SL) Target Language (TL) Is the language from which one speaks Is the language into which the interpretation is made

Interpreter Language Skills “A” Language “B” Language Is the interpreter's first language in which the interpreter continues to have fluency Is any other active language which the interpreter can interpret into accurately

Modes of Interpretation Simultaneous Consecutive Summary Sight Translation

Modes of Interpretation Simultaneous Interpreting: Involves two people speaking at the same time Can save time Requires a lot of concentration on the part of the interpreter

What is a problem with this Mode of Interpretation? Other people in the room may find it distracting to hear two voices at once Where is simultaneous Interpreting usually used?

Second Mode Consecutive Interpreting: The interpreter waits until the speaker has completed a statement before beginning to interpret it Requires good short term memory Only one person is speaking at a time

What is a problem with this Mode of Interpretation? Generally takes about twice as long as one that does not require an interpreter Where is Consecutive Interpreting usually used?

Third Mode Summary Interpreting: Interpreting in which the interpreter produces only a condensation, in another language, of what is said; not recommended in community interpreting

What is a problem with this Mode of Interpretation? Filters information, some of the important details may be lost Where is Summary Interpreting usually used?

Fourth Mode Sight translation One way (Written Source) →forms, documents prescriptions, labels Problems that arise in this mode of interpreting? Is it used commonly?

Goals of the Interpreter Maintain a low profile Remembering that the goal is to create the impression that the two parties are conversing directly with each other Facilitates the communication process: So that the language and cultural gaps are bridged effectively

Overall Goal of the Interpreter Is to facilitate understanding in communication between people who are speaking different languages: The role contains four elements which will be described in detail, they are: Conduit Clarifier Cultural Broker Advocate

Role of the Human Services Interpreter Conduit Interprets everything that is said, exactly as it is said: adds nothing, omits nothing, changes nothing. Clarifier Interprets what is said faithfully, but in a way that is would be understood Cultural Broker Is aware of the possibility of cultural misunderstanding and miscommunication Advocate Addresses behavior which might affect access to or quality of services and compromises dignity

Conduit Role When possible, the interpreter obtains information from provider, clarifies what language the customer uses, the provider’s goals for the encounter, and other relevant background information

Conduit Role When possible, the interpreter communicates with the customer to assess the customer’s dialect, communication style, and register (level of formality) of speech

Conduit Role Interpreter introduces self to customer and provider Clarifies the interpreter’s role to both parties, which includes: His/her role to facilitate communication His/her job to interpret everything that is said accurately That confidentiality within the session will be maintained

Introduction Hello, my name is………. I am an interpreter with….. I will interpret everything said in this room I will interpret from the “first person” Everything said in this room will remain confidential Do you have any questions regarding my role?

Conduit Role Explains that the interpreter will use the “first person” To reinforce the primary relationship between the provider and customer To help the interpreter focus on interpreting exactly what was said To shorten communication and avoid confusion To establish a norm among professional interpreters To make it clear that the interpreter is the medium, not the source of the message

Conduit Role Encourages parties to communicate directly with each other Asks if there are any questions about the interpreter’s role and answers questions

Conduit Role The interpreter interprets everything that adds meaning to the communication (meaningful gestures, signs, pauses, exclamations, “ums”) The interpreter gives accurate interpretation, which sometimes is not the same as literal interpretation The interpreter reflects tone, inflection, and volume

Clarifier Arranges the appropriate physical location of the interpreter to ensure hearing, seeing, and when necessary, the comfort of the customer Checks that both parties understand what is said

Clarifier Interrupts when he/she does not fully hear or understand the message Ensures that he/she can be seen and heard by both parties Informs and explains to both parties if cultural or linguistic differences require clarification

Clarifier Acknowledges when there is conflict or tension between the customer and provider Assists the parties in working out the conflict themselves Does not take sides in the conflict Makes sure the customer is clear about next steps and has asked any questions he/she may still have

Clarifier Intervening As a Clarifier, interpreters sometimes need to interrupt the customer or the provider with a comment or a question to assure the flow of communication and understanding between each party

Clarifier Intervening Examples: Someone uses language the interpreter does not understand The interpreter suspects that the customer does not understand what the provider is saying Someone uses a term that needs to be explained The interpreter needs to clarify the cultural context

Clarifier Intervening Examples The provider had said something offensive to the customer There are misunderstandings due to cultural differences Someone is speaking without pausing

Tips for Intervening Tips for Intervening: Stay calm The intervention should be “transparent” The interpreter switches from the first person to third person (“The interpreter would like to ask…”) The interpreter should not make any assumptions

Tips for Intervening Tips for Intervening……. The interpreter should go back to interpreting as soon as possible The interpreter should let the provider decide how to handle any difficult situations The interpreter should not try to resolve the problem

Cultural Bridging The interpreter behaves in a culturally appropriate manner, observing the rules of cultural etiquette The interpreter adjusts behavior to observe appropriate rules of cultural etiquette

Cultural Bridging The interpreter explores whether factors such as age, gender, or socio-economic status will affect the communication process The interpreter shares relevant cultural information of either party’s culture needed for understanding a message, which may help clarify the problem

Cultural Bridging Informs either party when a concept or term is untranslatable and assists the speaker in developing an acceptable definition or explanation

Cultural Bridging The interpreter should be proficient at understanding verbal and nonverbal communication styles and cues that may indicate culturally based misunderstanding or miscommunication When appropriate, calls attention of parties to what the problem might be Assists the parties in searching for clarity

Advocate On occasions where the interpreter feels strongly that either party’s behavior is affecting access to or quality of services, or compromising either party’s dignity, uses effective strategies to address the situation

Advocate If the problem persists, the interpreter should know and use institutional policies and procedures relevant to violations of Title VI, pertaining to non-discriminatory practices toward LEP customers.

Professional Conduct Standards An interpreter should be punctual to all assignments Provides explanation of the role of the interpreter Acknowledges and corrects own mistakes Dresses appropriately Communicates empathy Demonstrates patience Behaves in a respectful, courteous, culturally competent manner Adheres to Interpreter Code of Ethics at all times Explains potential consequences for inaccurate interpreting Provides agency with reasonable notice in case of assignment cancellation

Qualities of a Professional Interpreter Confidentiality Accuracy Completeness Impartiality Resolving conflict of interest Conveying cultural frameworks Allowing client’s self-determination 11/10/2018

Keeps professional distance Appropriate attitude toward participants Compensation Professional competence and integrity Respect for privacy Professionalism Professional development Duty to withdraw 11/10/2018

Screening & Assessment Oral proficiency Assessment of Ethics Cultural understanding Terminology Integrated interpersonal skills

Barriers to Successful Communication Linguistic Problems Cultural Problems Mechanical Problems Other Barriers to Communication

Linguistic Problems Technical Terms Idioms Inarticulate customer Dialectical or regional differences

Cultural Problems “Lost in the translation”, not translatable concepts Mistrust, embarrassment, shame Family members Informed consent Unintended offense Folk beliefs

Mechanical Problems Memory Physical distractions

Other Barriers Emotional reactions Interference by relatives Triadic communication

During the Interpretation Always remember that everything said in the room during the interview should be interpreted

Contact Information Contact: Julia Arbini Carbonell ODJFS Bureau of Civil Rights 150 East Gay Street – 18th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 e-mail: arbinj@odjfs.state.oh.us Voice: 614 387-0310 Toll Free: 1 886 227-6353