A3888

Guidelines
for working
with interpreters & simultaneous
interpretation
Joan Laurion and Rose Skora
equipment
“Whether it’s 1 or 100 people who need interpretation, take it seriously.
Interpretation is their only link to the conference or the
educational event. The quality of the interpretation determines
the quality of their experience.” [donna vukelich, interpreter]

S
imultaneous interpretation equipment Generally consisting of a transmitter and a Interpreters use interpretation equipment
is one of the most powerful tools that set of headsets and receivers, simultaneous to share what a speaker is saying with
can be used to ensure that individuals interpretation equipment can be used participants who speak a different
who speak a variety of languages can all both indoors and outdoors in a variety of language, generally speaking at the same
learn and hear the same message. This ways: time as the presenter is saying the words.
guide is designed primarily for educators n To help hard-of-hearing learners This is called simultaneous interpretation,
and other individuals who might make participate fully and it is different from simply going back
use of interpreters and this equipment to and forth between two languages, as a
n To enable a teacher to talk very
present information to a group of people. bilingual presenter might do.
quietly when necessary
An example of simultaneous interpretation
n To allow people who speak different
would be a presenter speaking in English
languages to hear a presentation at
while an interpreter talks into a small
the same time as English language
transmitter, interpreting the presentation
speakers
immediately into Spanish. Spanish
The first two activities do not require speakers then hear the interpreted
another person to interpret the program. presentation with their small headsets
It is only in the last example that using a and receivers. In this way, both the English
bilingual interpreter is necessary. and the Spanish speakers in the group
hear the program at the same time in their
preferred language.
The following guidelines are designed to
give you tips on working with a bilingual
interpreter when using simultaneous
interpretation equipment.

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Things to do before an interpreted event “The speaker has to be

Reserve the equipment. n If your program is over 2 hours long,
you’ll need to hire two interpreters so not just audible but
1 Find out where the equipment currently
is in your district and reserve it for the
date of your event. Arrange to pick it up.
they can switch off every 20 minutes
or so. For a 2-day event, you’ll need VERY audible. I have to
three interpreters. Keep in mind that
Set it up and try it out beforehand to be
sure that you know how to use it.
if you have multiple interpreters, the be able to hear over
interpreters who are not interpreting

Choose an interpreter.
are still paying attention and listening. myself talking.”
They need to know what is going on

2 When considering a candidate, ensure during the program so they can take [steve herrick, interpreter]
that he or she has been trained as over.
an interpreter. Being bilingual does not Options for finding interpreters include:
necessarily qualify a person to be an
n

The American Translators Association: Translate written materials.

interpreter. Other factors to consider:
n Interpreters should have specializations
www.atanet.org
The Midwest Association of Translators
and Interpreters: www.matiata.org
4 Prepare the handouts and post-
program surveys for all participants.
(medical, agriculture, judicial, business, n Plan well in advance for translation of
etc). written materials. Not all interpreters
n Interpreters are generally trained in Give important resources are competent translators nor do
simultaneous interpretation, which to your interpreter. all interpreters enjoy translating.
Translation requires a set of specialized
involves speaking at the same time
as the presenter, or consecutive
interpretation, repeating what the
3 Provide them with the following as soon
as possible:
skills, so you may be hiring another
person to do the translation.
presenter says after he or she has n Handouts, speaker notes, and n Your interpreter may be willing to
stopped speaking. If your event requires PowerPoint presentations. The more translate the handouts and post-
simultaneous interpretation, make information interpreters have in program surveys as well as the results
sure your interpreter has previous advance, the more successful the into English after the program is
experience and has used simultaneous interpretation will be. This will allow finished. Make the interpreter aware of
interpretation equipment. them to look up rare or technical words this request ahead of time, as he or she
or phrases before the program. will need adequate time to translate the
n Interpreters should conduct themselves
appropriately. Make sure that your n Written names of speakers, sponsors, materials. Include a place for the people
candidate understands that interpreters and people who will be acknowledged. who were listening to the interpretation
may not advocate, change a message, Include the speaker’s biographical to comment on the quality of the
or add to or remove content from a information. interpreter’s work in the translated
message. Simply put, a professional n The type of event they will be version of the evaluation.
interpreter does not insert his or her interpreting: outdoors, indoors, keynote, n Do not let the lack of translated written
own views or biases in the message. or workshop. materials stop you from offering
Your interpreter should let you know n The total number of participants simultaneous interpretation at the
that he or she understands these and the number of people needing event. Often, people who need verbal
important concepts. interpretation interpretation can read English well
enough to use the handouts and
n The size of the room(s).
answer a survey in English. They might
n Whether a sound system will be also have another person translate the
available. It is important to ensure that written materials for them. Remember
the interpreter can adequately hear to encourage all participants to fill out
what the speaker is saying. the session evaluation in their most
fluent language.

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Tell guest speakers that their Things to do during an interpreted event

session will be interpreted.
Carefully distribute Support the speaker.
5 Gently coach speakers on how to
successfully work with interpreters. the equipment.
4 Show the speaker(s) where the
interpreter will be sitting. Ask the
n Suggest that they speak a little slower
than usual and that they use short and
concise sentences as much as possible.
1 Designate a committee member to
be in charge of the interpretation
equipment. It is not the interpreters’ job
speaker if he or she has any experience
with working with interpreters and if there
any questions you can answer.
(unless they bring their own equipment) to
hand out equipment and check batteries. n Ask the speaker to occasionally check
“It is really frustrating Lay out the receivers near the
n
in visually with the interpreter about
speed and clarity.
and difficult when registration table.
n Encourage the speaker and interpreter
Check that the batteries are working.
n

speakers talk really fast Be sure that every participant signs out
n
to work out a signal so the speaker
knows if he or she is speaking too
his or her particular receiver with name
or when they use long, and phone contact information.
quickly.
n Tell them both that the interpreter may
rambling sentences.” Make space for the interrupt the speaker to say, “Interpreter
requests clarification on a word.”
[steve herrick, interpreter] interpreter. n Ask the speaker to allow for extra

n Remind them to minimize the use of

colloquialisms or sayings, such as the
2 Try to arrange the space so that the
interpreters are on the side or in the
back of the room. As much as possible,
time during the Q & A period so that
interpretation may occur. If possible, use
two interpreters during this time period
expression “shooting yourself in the (one for the Q & A and the other to
keep them away from participants who
foot.” Competent interpreters will not continue the program with the speaker).
do not need interpretation. If done well,
interpret this expression literally but
simultaneous interpretation should not n Remind the speaker that the interpreter
will interpret the speaker’s meaning
distract anyone. will not be able to interpret when two
instead. Still, it would be easier for the
interpreter if the speaker instead said: individuals are speaking at the same
“not working to your own advantage.”
Support the interpreter. time.

Arrange payment for 3 Designate a committee member to

be in charge of working with the
interpreters.
interpreters. n Show the interpreter where he or

6 They should be paid fairly and not be

expected to work for free.
n
she will be sitting.
Make sure the interpreter has
n Check with community organizations the session materials in both
or other partners to see if they will help languages.
support the interpretation costs.
n Introduce the interpreter to the
n Tell your interpreters or interpreting speaker(s).
agencies of mileage and food
n Throughout the event, continue to
reimbursement limits.
check with the interpreter. Does he or
n Inform interpreters that you will need she need something to drink? Can the
to receive an invoice for the services as speaker be heard?
soon as possible after the event.
“When two speakers talk at the same time,
I just stop. It is not possible to interpret two
people at one time. I just wait until the flurry
of overlapping comments is over.”
[steve herrick, interpreter]

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Support the participants. Things to do after

“I can do 11/2 hours
5 In your introductory remarks make all
participants aware that interpretation
is part of the program. Be sure to make the by myself but after 2
an interpreted event
1. Pay the interpreter or tell the interpreter
announcement in both (all) languages. when he or she can expect payment.
hours interpreting, I
Plan for short breaks. 2. Check the equipment to see that it is all
can’t speak English or properly packed up.

6 Interpreters should get a break every 20

minutes or so. They can only work for 2
hours by themselves. Spanish!”
3. Return the equipment to the
appropriate office.
4. If a community partner is not supporting
n There should be short breaks every 20 [steve herrick, interpreter]
the interpretation, ask for an invoice
minutes if you have one interpreter. If
from the interpreter. Check the invoice
the event is over 2 hours, you’ll need to
for accuracy and submit it to the
hire two interpreters.
responsible agency or department for
processing.
5. Evaluate the use of interpretation for
“I have been at events where people thought the program and the results of the post-
program survey and problem-solve
that we were just chatting away impolitely in any issues that may have arisen. Share
responses about the effectiveness of the
the back. They were understandably irritated interpretation with the interpreter.
6. Begin a list of qualified interpreters and/
because they didn’t realize that we were or interpretation agencies for future
programs.
interpreting.” [donna vukelich, interpreter]

Cooperative Extension

Copyright © 2009 University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents and University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. All rights
reserved.
Authors: Joan Laurion, Dane County Family Living Educator, University of Wisconsin-Extension, and Rose Skora, Kenosha/Racine Agriculture
Educator, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. Cooperative Extension publications are subject to peer review.
Our thanks to: Jennifer Flamboe, interpreter, for graciously providing an external review of this publication.
University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties,
publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914, Acts of Congress. An EEO/AA employer, the University of
Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA
requirements. If you need this information in an alternative format, contact Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs, University of Wisconsin-
Extension, 432 N. Lake St., Rm. 501, Madison, WI 53706, [email protected], phone: (608) 262-0277, fax: (608) 262-8404, TTY: 711 Wisconsin Relay.
This publication is available from your county UW-Extension office (www.uwex.edu/ces/cty) or from Cooperative Extension Publishing. To
order, call toll-free: 1-877-947-7827 (WIS-PUBS) or visit our website: learningstore.uwex.edu.

Guidelines for Working with Interpreters & Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment (A3888) I-10-2009