| The following are 7 sure-fire steps for legal | | | | Always use the second person when addressing your |
| professionals such as attorneys, solicitors, lawyers | | | | client or other parties and look at them directly. Do |
| and barristers wanting successful dealings with an | | | | not speak to the interpreter. Actually, you should |
| interpreter. | | | | almost forget they are there. For example, you |
| Step One | | | | should say "please confirm your name and address," |
| Always, always use a qualified, professional and | | | | rather than "ask him to tell me his name and |
| experienced interpreter. A friend's girlfriend who | | | | address." Keep your language simple. When |
| speaks Spanish and lived in Chile for 6 years is not | | | | addressing a client whose first language is not English, |
| good enough. Even if she has a degree in the Spanish | | | | stay away from long, complex sentences with |
| language it does not make her an interpreter. Yes, | | | | multiple subordinate clauses. Avoid humour, idioms, |
| she would be convenient and cheap, but it could | | | | sayings and the like which will simply get lost in |
| result in evidence thrown out of court, poor | | | | translation across the linguistic and cultural lines. |
| communication and downright messy results. | | | | Step 5 |
| Professional interpreters are qualified linguists who do | | | | Don't be afraid to make requests of the interpreter. |
| this for a living and understand how to do it well with | | | | If you find that the interpreter is too loud ask them |
| standards, ethics and due process. You can use an | | | | to speak in a lower tone. If they are talking too fast, |
| agency to hire an interpreter or you can contract a | | | | tell them to slow it down. If you are unsure as to |
| freelance interpreter directly. The advantage of using | | | | whether or not something has been really understood |
| an agency is that they have vetted the interpreters | | | | then check with them. This is not in the least bit |
| but they will be more expensive. Going direct to an | | | | demanding and in fact an interpreter worth their salt |
| interpreter is somewhat of a lottery but a little | | | | will appreciate this. |
| cheaper. | | | | Step 6 |
| Step 2 | | | | Interpreting is mentally exhausting work. You must |
| If possible, have your interpreter come in early to | | | | take into account that the accuracy decreases of |
| meet with you, or if for court to meet with the | | | | translation will decrease with fatigue. If you are |
| client. This allows time to get to know the | | | | planning to use the interpreter for a considerable |
| background to the meeting/hearing, go through issue | | | | length of time then consider asking or agreeing with |
| and clarify any questions. Even if this means you will | | | | them when breaks should be taken. If you believe |
| have to pay for the extra time it's worth it. | | | | the day may last too long for one interpreter then |
| Step 3 | | | | investing in a pair to take turns during the day is not |
| Although it can mean a little extra work, always try | | | | such a bad idea. |
| to send the interpreter material about the meeting, | | | | Step 7 |
| client, criminal proceedings, etc. You don't have to | | | | Remember that interpreting takes time. Most |
| give every single bit of documentation you have but | | | | interpreting in the legal sector will take place |
| bringing the interpreter up to speed with the situation | | | | consecutively (also known as face-to-face). |
| is valuable. No interpreter likes to walk into such a | | | | Everything is being said twice plus on top of that |
| setting "blind", i.e. not knowing who they are | | | | there will be pauses or delays to check meanings or |
| interpreting for and why. In fact, there are occasions | | | | clarify statements. Accept that things will take at |
| where interpreters have refused to work on | | | | least twice as long and allow for this. Hurrying |
| assignments due to ethical reasons or conflicts of | | | | proceedings or putting people under stress does not |
| interest. How is an interpreter supposed to know if | | | | solve problems but rather creates problems. |
| they know a key witness if they don't know | | | | If you have done your homework, stuck to the 7 |
| anything about the trial in the first place? | | | | Steps and thought the process through then you'll |
| Step 4 | | | | have nothing to worry about. |