1. Interpreters Training
ODJFS
Bureau of Civil Rights

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Interpreter Definitions
Interpreters / Translators

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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.

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

23. 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

24. 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?

25. 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

26. 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

27. Modes of Interpretation
Simultaneous
Consecutive
Summary
Sight Translation

28. 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

29. 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?

30. 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

31. 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?

32. 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

33. 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?

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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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?

42. 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

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

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

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

51. 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

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

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

56. 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

57. 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

58. 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.

59. 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

60. Qualities of a Professional Interpreter
Confidentiality
Accuracy
Completeness
Impartiality
Resolving conflict of interest
Conveying cultural frameworks
Allowing client’s self-determination
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61. Keeps professional distance Appropriate attitude toward participants
Compensation
Professional competence and integrity
Respect for privacy
Professionalism
Professional development
Duty to withdraw
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62. Screening & Assessment
Oral proficiency
Assessment of Ethics
Cultural understanding
Terminology
Integrated interpersonal skills

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

64. Linguistic Problems Technical Terms Idioms Inarticulate customer
Dialectical or regional differences

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

66. Mechanical Problems
Memory
Physical distractions

67. Other Barriers Emotional reactions Interference by relatives
Triadic communication

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

69. Contact Information
Contact:
Julia Arbini Carbonell
ODJFS Bureau of Civil Rights
150 East Gay Street – 18th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Voice:
Toll Free: