1. Allow enough time. It may take longer to complete an interpreted interview.
  2. Allow time for introductions. Briefly explain your role and the purpose of the interview. Allow the interpreter to explain his/her role.
  3. Arrange seating so that you have eye contact with your client.
  4. Speak directly to your client, not to the interpreter.
  5. Your client will appreciate it if you take time to get the correct pronunciation of the client’s name.
  6. Maintain control of the interview. The interpreter’s role is to accurately and completely convey the messages of both speakers, not to direct the interview.
  7. In general, speak at normal speed, in a normal tone of voice. The interpreter will let you know if you are speaking too quickly.
  8. You may find that speaking in shorter sentences and pausing from time to time will assist the interpreter.
  9. Be supportive if the interpreter interrupts for clarification or to ensure accuracy.
  10. Avoid relying on double negatives, idioms, slang, and jokes.
  11. The interpreter may interrupt to alert you to communication breakdown because of cultural differences, so that you and your non-English speaking client can resolve them.
  12. In general, do not have “sidebar” discussions with the interpreter. Neither should the non-English speaker. If you wish to clarify anything with the interpreter, explain to your client what you are doing. Equally, the interpreter should explain the nature and content of any discussion with your client and should interpret what your client has said.
  13. Give your client opportunity to ask for clarification of anything he/she may not have understood.
  14. When checking for understanding, ask your client to repeat back what he/she has heard. Ask “What do you understand?” rather than “Do you understand?”
  15. If appropriate, summarize decisions that have been made.

Thank you to Nathan Garber of Nathan Garber & Associates and  Across Languages Translation and Interpretation for permission to reprint this article.

Founded in 1989, Across Languages is dedicated to ensuring equal access for non-English speakers in the fields of health, law, education, community and government services. Our goal is that professionals and others working with non-English speaking clients will be able to communicate effectively through qualified, well-trained, ethical and impartial interpreters.

 

Other Diversity Websites

Walk A Mile: The Immigrant Experience in Canada
www.nfb.ca
Walk A Mile is the web site supporting a four-part television series produced in BC. The shows are available for purchase in video format (English and French). The final video focuses on employment. They also provide a facilitator’s manual and participant workbooks. The site also features a video clip from each show. There are articles, resource suggestions and links in the three sections of the site: Immigration and Settlement, Language Challenges and Employment Issues.

Settlement.Org: Information and Resources for Immigrants to Ontario, Canada
www.settlement.org 
This site which is managed by OCASI – (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants) offers information on a variety of topics, including employment. They cover :

  • Employment Standards, (Basic Working Conditions, Health and Safety at Work, Human Rights at Work)
  • Financial Assistance (Employment Insurance, Ontario Works)
  • Finding a Job (the usual topics, including some resume samples for downloading)
  • Foreign-Trained Professionals and Tradespeople (Employment Credentials Assessment, Working in Your Trade, Educational Documents Evaluation)
  • Job Listings (Online Job Listings, Applying for Jobs Online)
  • Labour Market Information (LMI)
  • Self-employment
  • Social Insurance Number & Other Official Documents
  • Volunteering

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
http://www.cicic.ca
Contact Point often receives requests for information on the requirements for specific trades and professions. This site has a comprehensive list of more than 100 of these very popular fact sheets at www.cicic.ca/professions/indexe.stm. They also have information for students educated abroad applying for admission to Canadian universities and colleges, and a list of provincially-mandated Evaluation Services and their contact information.