Interpreting in

Community
Settings
A Foundational Training Program for
Interpreters Working in Community & Public
Service Settings

Student Handbook
2023 Edition
Discover | Learn | Share | Connect | Grow
THE INTERPRETER'S LAB
Learn, Discover, Share, Connect, Grow

The Interpreter’s Lab is a professional development and training organization for community interpreters.

This Handbook is provided as a study guide for the Community Interpreter Training Series provided by
The Interpreter’s Lab™ - a program of Shifting Pictures Inc. and is not intended as a stand-alone training
manual.

Contact Information:

Shifting Pictures
1424 Commercial Drive
Vancouver BC
V5L 3X0
1.604.336.0224

[email protected]
[email protected]

Copyright ©2023 by Shifting Pictures. All rights reserved.

NO PART OF THIS STUDENT HANDBOOK MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR

TRANSMITTED, IN ANY FORM, OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING,
RECORDING OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT WITH EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR.
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Table of Contents
Course Introduction 3
The World of Community Interpreting 3
Introduction 4
The Role of the Interpreter 5
Interpreting and Translation 7
Modes, Settings, and the Interpreting Process 8
Interpreting Modes 8
Simultaneous Mode 8
Consecutive Mode 9
Sight Translation or Sight Interpreting 10
Chuchotage (whispered simultaneous) 10
Settings of Community Interpreting 10
The Interpreting Process 10
Diagram 1: The Interpreting Process 12
The Challenges of Language 12
Communication and Interpreting 14
Barriers to Communication in Interpreting 14
Self-Assessment 15
What is Communication? 15
Nonverbal Communication 17
Culture and Diversity 19
High versus Low Context Cultures and Communication Styles 19
Ethics and Standards of Practice 20
What are Ethics? 20
The Professional Introduction 21
Sample Introduction Statement 22
In Conclusion 22

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Course Introduction

This course trains bilinguals in the fundamental and foundational skills required of an interpreter, with a
focus on working in community settings. The course combines theory with practical skills training, using a
variety of methods; preparing students to effectively apply their learnings in real-world settings
immediately upon successful completion of the course.

This course is dedicated to interpreting, which is the oral or signed conversion of language. For more
detailed information on the course content, refer to the course syllabus which is in the Module B of the
online content.

Welcome to The Interpreter’s Lab!

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The World of Community Interpreting

Introduction
Interpreters have been around for a very long time. Records show that some of the “oldest documented
accounts of training and employing interpreters are from 2500 BCE, from the southern province of Egypt
where Egyptians and Nubians met regularly.”1 However, it was not until the 1950’s that interpreting was
formalized with a professional title designation championed by the Association Internationale d’Interprètes
de Conferénces (AIIC), which came into existence at that period2. Changing migration patterns
experienced later in the decade shaped a linguistic and cultural diversity now found within many nations,
which in turn fostered the development of a new brand of interpreting known as community or public
service interpreting.

Community Interpreting was initially an ad-hoc response to these changing linguistic and cultural
demographics; provided informally by family members (including children), friends, and untrained/untested
bilingual staff or volunteers. As it progressed and advanced as an acknowledged profession, Community
Interpreting began to draw much attention from scholars interested in understanding this new part of the
profession. As a field of practice that was conducted in the community instead of the conference booth,
Community Interpreting learned some things from Conference Interpreting but soon began to develop its
own form applying the professional role to the community setting.

In Canada, Community Interpreting largely came into existence in the late 20th century when migration
patterns began to shift, and organizations responded to the broadening linguistic and cultural diversity
through the provision of informal language services. The landscape of Community Interpreting continues
to rapidly change and develop. The last decade has seen a marked improvement in awareness and
recognition of the Community Interpreter.

Interpreters are generally freelance contractors who work either directly for the language service
providers, or, more commonly, contract their services through a brokerage that procures work, assigns the
interpreters, and to offset the costs that the agency [brokerage] sustains, they keep a small portion of the
fee. But in turn, the agencies take care of the scheduling, invoicing, and marketing for the interpreter’s
services – this is no small act. And because agencies are centralized hubs that have the correct insurance,
human resources, quality control measures, and technical infrastructures in place, most government
contracts for language services are awarded to agencies, both nonprofit and business. Given this, it does,
on average, make sense for community interpreters to work through an agency.

1
Franz Pochhacker
2
Sofia Garciá-Beyaert
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The Role of the Interpreter
What is the role of the community interpreter? An interpreter, in any situation, is a language or
communication facilitator that acts as a conduit for 2 or more people who do not speak the same
language. The primary role of the interpreter involves the oral rendering from one language into another
without changing content, meaning, register or tone. The main purpose of interpreting is to facilitate
understanding in communication between people who speak different languages.

An interpreter:
● Is a language professional
● Is fluent in two or more languages
● Understands their limitations
● Does not advocate for either party in an interpreting session
● Does not let personal opinions influence their work
● Maintains a current knowledge of vocabulary and terminology
● Does not offer counseling or advice

An interpreter is more than a bilingual person. An interpreter is part of a larger professional network and is
obligated to adhere to standards of conduct defined by ethical principles. Interpreters are also
responsible to their peers and must act in a professional manner at all times to safeguard not only their
own scope of practice, but also the integrity of the network of professionals that span the globe. Does that
sound like a heavy obligation? It is, but it is also a responsibility that can be embraced with confidence and
satisfaction through careful practice and continued competence.

Interpreters are also responsible to the people whom they serve: the minority-language speakers who
come as clients, the professionals and practitioners that serve the community; and the agencies with
which they work. So, while it may seem that interpreters work in isolation, they actually are connected to a
broad scope of people. Community Interpreting, or Public Service Interpreting as it is called in the UK and
EU, is:

“bidirectional interpreting that takes place in the course of communication among

speakers of different languages. The context is the provision of public services such
as healthcare or community services and in settings such as government agencies,
community centres, legal settings, educational institutions, and social services”
(National Standards Guide for Community Interpreting Services, 2010, Canada).

Several different factors distinguish Community Interpreting from interpreting in other settings:
● It is bidirectional
● It is dynamically situated within the context
● It demands interpreters be more aware of the potential for ethical dilemmas
● It is done by a single practitioner and not a team

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The world of the interpreter involves and includes a variety of people, roles, and places. In this section we
will discuss the role of the community interpreter in relation to the institutions, agencies, organizations,
professionals, and individuals with whom they work. In addition to the variety of people an interpreter also
works in many different settings and situations. Each of these different settings may influence how the
interpreter fulfills their professional obligation due to different protocols or rules, but the role of the
interpreter always adheres to the professional and ethical boundaries. It is important for interpreters that
work in community settings to appreciate the very many different settings in which they work.

In this course you will better understand the settings and situations you may find yourself working in, as
well as engage in practice activities and role plays to try out your new skills. For now, let’s refer the
following as an example of place where an interpreter might find themselves:

● Ministry offices
● Child apprehensions
● Financial assistance
● Hospitals
● Specialized care (cancer/rehabilitation)
● General care
● Community health centres
● Prisons and detention centres
● Lawyers’ offices, administrative tribunals, courts
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 ● Insurance offices
● Immigration centres
● Community centres
● Places of worship

We will delve into more details on settings and situations during the course.

Interpreting and Translation

This course is dedicated to interpreting, which is the oral or signed conversion of language – or in other
words – it involves listening to a spoken or signed message in one language, which is called the source
language - and then converting it into another language – which is called the target language. Source
language and target language are important interpreting terms to remember. Source language is the
language of the original message and target language is the language of the message after it has been
converted.

While interpreting and translation are very similar in that both competencies work with and convert
language, they are also different in many ways. While interpreting is language in spoken or signed form,
translation is written – in hard print or digital form. However, there are many other differences. Translators
often work in teams with a chief translator at the helm (or a project manager/translator) collaborating with
editors, designers, and other experts. Translators can also use dictionaries and reference words as much
as they like and can also consult with other translators and professionals because they have the time
(theoretically) to do so. While interpreting is done in ‘real-time’. The interpreter’s work is rarely preserved,
while the translator's work can continue to exist for a very long time after their assignment is over.

Both professional roles have their advantages and disadvantages, and flourish best when done by a
personality that suits the work. Interpreters tend to enjoy being around people more, and are fine with
ambiguity or unexpected changes, while translators are more drawn to working independently and with
resources at hand. And there are other differences as well. Can you think of some? Which do you believe
most appeals to you? Why?

Modes, Settings, and the Interpreting Process

Interpreting Modes

Interpreting is conducted according to established techniques and modes. Different settings call for
different techniques. It is important to use the appropriate technique for the setting.

There are two primary modes utilized in interpreting and two additional modes that are hybrids or
variations of the primary one. These primary modes are simultaneous and consecutive, and the additional
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modes are sight translation and chuchotage. It may be that some people will think interpreters also use
summarizing as a mode, that is an incorrect belief. Summarizing is unprofessional and not to be done by
any trained interpreter. Simultaneous and consecutive are the primary and standard modes in most, if not
all, settings.

Of these four modes community interpreters mainly use consecutive interpreting and sight translation
although with the increasing use of technology and remote interpreting platforms, simultaneous seems to
be gaining some ground.

Simultaneous Mode
Simultaneous interpreting is typically what people think about when interpreting comes to mind, especially
as we are more and more exposed to global events and politics. We also see this mode of interpreting in
places like conferences, the Canadian Parliament, or international organizations. Simultaneous
interpreting, like much of the interpreting profession, is quickly transforming as we adjust to and utilize
new technologies, but it does fundamentally require the use of specialized equipment and years of
training on the part of the interpreter.

Simultaneous interpreting is best suited when transmitters, receivers and preferably, sound-proof booths
are supplied given the commotion that having two people speaking at the same time can cause. However,
the landscape and application for simultaneous interpreting mode continues to change. Influenced by
remote platforms that allow interpreters to work off-site, and the growing utilization of remote interpreting
– phone and video – in many settings besides those of conferences, simultaneous is growing in its spread
as a mode in use.

Simultaneous interpreting involves interpreting a message into a target language at virtually the same
time as the speaker expresses the message in the source language. In the simultaneous mode,
interpreting is provided for short segments of speech while the speaker continues speaking. This is
different from consecutive in that the speaker does not pause, nor is expected to pause.

Simultaneous interpreting is different from consecutive interpreting in that it typically goes in one direction
– from source to target language. Of course, and as we repeatedly tell our students, interpreting is
context, context, context – meaning that the expectations may vary depending in which setting you are
working.

Consecutive Mode
Consecutive interpreting is more dependent on an interpreter’s memory skills as it involves waiting for the
speaker to pause before the interpreter can interpret the message. The very word consecutive comes
from a Latin word meaning to follow and that is exactly what this mode does. In consecutive interpreting
mode, the interpreter must listen carefully and retain what the speaker has said in the source language
and then, once the speaker has paused the interpreter delivers the message in the target language. In
consecutive interpreting the opportunity for better analysis or comprehension of the message exists

9
because of the time permitted but memory also comes into play. Interpreters in consecutive mode must
be able to accurately comprehend, retain and recall the source language message to accurately deliver it
in the target language.

It is expected that consecutive interpreting mode allows for greater accuracy, but accuracy depends on
the interpreter’s language skills, memory skills and even note-taking skills. Consecutive interpreting mode
can be either short consecutive – which are short segments – or long consecutive – where the speaker
may go on for up to 15 minutes. With a deliberate attention put to ongoing professional development, an
interpreter can improve their skills to be able to competently do both short, and long consecutive as well
as simultaneous.

Sight Translation or Sight Interpreting

Sight translation is a hybrid of interpreting and translation that requires the interpreter to silently read
written text and to then interpret it orally or in signed form into the target language. It is called translation,
but it is actually a hybrid interpreting mode, combining interpreting and translation. Slight translation is not
only important but also very common in community-based interpreting as it is often part of a community's
interpreter assignment. Interpreters may be asked to sight translate a variety of documents related to the
session and are a part of the session. For example, interpreters may have to interpret contracts, legal or
healthcare consent forms and client information materials, or may even be asked to interpret documents
in the clients’ language for the English-speaking professional.

Chuchotage (whispered simultaneous)

This is similar to simultaneous but is done in whispered mode to one or two people only. This type of
mode is used where the interpreting is only necessary for one or two people, but where it is unnecessary
or even disruptive for everyone else in attendance – e.g., courtrooms or large gatherings. Chuchotage is
the French word for whispering.

Settings of Community Interpreting

Interpreting happens in a variety of different settings. While community interpreting is perhaps the oldest
form, it is the most recent to join the professionalization rank. When people think about interpreting, they
often envision booths, headsets, microphones, and a large auditorium or a United Nations conference
room. But interpreting happens everywhere. From the smallest community-based office to the largest
conference rooms. Below is a listing of different settings and styles for interpreting.

1. Community Interpreting
● Community level - involves social services, education, law enforcement or other publicly
accessible service that is community based
2. Healthcare Interpreting
● Community-based interpreting done in healthcare or medical settings. Can be conducted
in institutions – e.g., hospitals, or in the community.
3. Court Interpreting
● Court/legal setting - may involve specialized equipment. In more and more situations,
court interpreting is conducted in simultaneous mode.
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4. Conference Interpreting
● Conference setting involves specialized equipment and interpreters skilled in
simultaneous mode
5. Diplomatic Interpreting
● Interpreters for this setting are usually citizens of the country for which they interpreting
and must know a range of subjects and work specifically for the diplomat to which they
are assigned
6. Business Interpreting
● Business meeting/conference setting - may involve special equipment.
● Interpreters for this setting may have specialized knowledge and may also act as a cultural
chaperone.

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The Interpreting Process
The work of the interpreter involves message conversion, which entails converting the meaning from one
language into another. Kind of like unpacking a box and repackaging the same article in a different box. It
is important to understand that interpreting is more about communication than it is about language - and
this brings us back to context and meaning. The meaning is derived from the setting–the factors around
the words.

Overall, the process of cognitively converting meaning from one language to another requires a high level
of skill and expertise which is built by training, practice, training, practice. Interpreters must be proficient in
both the source and target languages and have a deep understanding of the cultures and contexts in
which the languages are spoken. In community interpreting, interpreters are also tasked with the demand
to think quickly and clearly under pressure, as they often must interpret spoken language in real time.

The skills, abilities and knowledge involved included:

Comprehension
Comprehension is the first step in the language conversion process. It involves the interpreter listening to
the source language and understanding its meaning. This requires the interpreter to have a strong
command of both the source and target languages, as well as a thorough understanding of the context in
which the conversation is taking place.

Conversion
The second step in the interpreting process is conversion. Converting the message into the target
language involves comprehending, analyzing, and synthesizing information quickly and accurately -
searching for the words and/or word phrases that will convey the equivalent meaning in an equivalent way
in the second language.

Conveying
Finally, the interpreter must produce the target language. This involves speaking the converted message
in the target language in a way that is clear and natural in the target language, maintaining message
accuracy and with no omissions, additions, or changes in register.

While, for many bilinguals, it may seem pretty straightforward to interpret what someone is saying from
one language into another, the professional requirements and protocols of an interpreter demonstrate that
it is not quite that simple. Much like having two legs does not make you a long-distance marathon
champion or having two hands giving you the innate ability to play the piano, being bilingual is a
PREREQUISITE for interpreting, not the whole package.

During this course we will work with you on the constituent elements of interpreting, which include the
following. Make sure to use the activities in this manual to keep your practicing and practice professional.

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Constituent Skills of Interpreting

● Listening and Comprehension

● Memory
● Note-Taking
● Working with Challenges in Languages
● Register

Diagram 1: The Interpreting Process

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The Challenges of Language
As with all languages, English has ways of saying things that are based on shortcuts or traditional forms of
expression. These can be very challenging for interpreters and include:

● Idioms
● Jargon
● Euphemisms
● Clichés
● Slang
● Proverbs

Additionally, communication may also be based on the use of profane language, what we might call ‘bad’
words, or even on humour. Both forms of communication are culturally bound and may prove extremely
difficult for interpreters since the words themselves may not have the equivalent meaning and may draw
on traditional or culture icons as the form of expression. For example, some cultures may reference
religious symbols when using profanity, while others may use anatomical expressions.

Ensure that you utilize the practice activities given to you in this course, as well as continue in your
professional development by participating in workshops and doing your own research.

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Communication and Interpreting
Interpreting is communication. Without a good understanding of communication, an interpreter cannot
appreciate the full scope of the work that they do, and the challenges that they have in interpreting from
one language to another – across cultures, values, and communication styles.

Barriers to Communication in Interpreting

As human beings, our communication styles are a part of who we are, where we come, what are values
are, where we fit on the socio-economic ladder, in addition to so many other variables. The challenge is
not only in knowing this but also in being aware of how these variables affect our communication, and
how they create barriers to effective communication with others.

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Below is a list of potential barriers that face everyone, but might have additional significance for
community interpreters:

1. Cultural Barriers
2. Linguistic/Semantic Barriers
3. Social Barriers
4. Psychological/Perceptual Barriers
5. Physical Barriers
6. Organizational/Systemic Barriers

Self-Assessment
It is important, as we do this work, to check in occasionally and do a self-assessment on our cross-cultural
communication styles. Remember that when we talk about cross-cultural communication, we are not only
talking about communication between two “geographical” cultures, but it can also be between different
cultures of values, systems, class, gender, etc.

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What is Communication?
The desire to communicate is basic to our human nature. But what exactly is communication?

For communication to take place we

need at least two parties:
● Sender
● Receiver

● For effective communication to take

place the Receiver must understand
the exact information that the
Sender intended to transmit.
●
● Interpersonal communication can
be broadly defined as any verbal or nonverbal behaviour that is perceived by another person. In other
words, it is much more than the exchange of words because all behaviour conveys some message
and therefore is a form of communication.
●
● Interpersonal communication or communication among people is a process in which everyone
receives, sends and infers meaning and messages all at the same time. All communication involves
people sending one another symbols to which certain messages are attached. The following diagram
below explains the process of communication from the fruition of an idea and the intent of the
communication through to the receipt and understanding of the idea or intent.

We communicate all the time with both our spoken words and our non-verbal behaviours and gestures.

Messages we send may not be understood as we intended. That doesn’t mean we didn’t use the correct
words; we may have used perfect words.

But barriers (mainly invisible ones) can hinder understanding. Being aware of potential barriers will help
you try to avoid them, hence avoiding misunderstanding.

According to communication studies, non-verbal communication consists of all the messages other than
words that are used in communication. In oral communication these symbolic messages are transferred by
means of intonation, tone of voice, vocally produced noises, body posture, facial expression or pauses.
When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive countless wordless signals. All of our
nonverbal behaviors—the gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how close we
stand, how much eye contact we make—send strong messages.

Nonverbal Communication

Intonation
● Intonation is the way that the sender’s pitch of voice rises and falls when speaking. For example, it
shows the interpreter whether the speaker expresses his or her message in the form of a question or
17
 statement. In the first case the voice raises at the end of the phrase or the sentence and in the second
case, it falls. At the same time, intonation indicates the end of a group of information, that, when
written, is indicated by commas, semicolons, periods, exclamation, or question marks. Another
function of intonation is to lay emphasis on a particular word or idea, a detail that the interpreter must
not fail to be aware of.

Tone of Voice
● The tone of voice is a means by which the speaker implies his or her attitude to the message. It is also
a means by which he seeks a reaction from the hearer. In a political debate, for instance, the tone of
voice is likely to be rousing, whereas on television the daily news is communicated in a more factual
tone. Other examples of tone of voice are: aggressive, critical, nervous, disappointed, monotonous,
friendly, enthusiastic, vivid, persuasive, etc.

Vocally Produced Sounds/Noises

● Speech can be accompanied by vocally produced noises that are not considered as part of language,
even though they help in communicating the intent of the message. Vocally produced noises are
things like laughter, shouting, screams of joy, fear, pain, as well as conventional expressions of disgust,
triumph, etc., traditionally spelled “ugh!”/“ha ha”, etc.

Body Posture
● Body posture is the way the speaker is
“holding” or positioning their body. For
example, a person might be slouching, or
sitting with crossed arms. Body posture is
different then gestures because it is
something that is more subtle and at times
unconsciously done. Body posturing can be
due to the situation (i.e. a patient lies down in
a bed) and therefore normal or expected, or it
can happen in response to the context (i.e. a
sudden tensing of the body in response to
alarming news.) Some postures, such as
slouching or crossed arms, can provide some
clues to the non-verbal behaviour, mood, and
intention of the speaker. But in this one must
be careful when working across cultures.
What might be true for one culture might not
be true in another.

Body Gestures
● A body gesture is a movement made with a
limb, especially the hands, to express,
confirm, emphasize or back up the speaker’s attitude or intention. This non-verbal activity is regularly
used in conversation. Sometimes gestures require no words (i.e. thumbs up, the OK sign, etc.) But
gestures can also cause all sorts of miscommunication in a cross-cultural context. Interpreters must be
confident that they understand the intent of the gesture if they are going to translate its meaning. As

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 an aid to understanding the message, it is always good to double-check what the face is saying for a
clue as to what the hand intends.

Facial Expressions and Eye Movement

● The face is the primary source of emotions. When a speaker is speaking their facial expressions tend
to change continually and are constantly monitored and interpreted by the receiver. Examples of this
are: smile, frown, raised eyebrow, yawn or sneer.

● Eye movement is a key part of facial behavior. Researchers have discovered that certain facial areas
reveal our emotional state better than others. For example the eyes tend to show happiness, sadness
or even surprise. The lower face can also express happiness or surprise; a smile, for instance, can
communicate friendliness or cooperation. As with all forms of verbal and non-verbal communication,
eye movement is culturally bound.

Pause
● A pause can have two different functions:
● It can indicate the relationship of one sentence to another and provide emphasis.
● It can also reveal the speaker’s uncertainty, hesitation, tension, or uneasiness. A pause can also
indicate judgment, agreement, or disagreement. For interpreters, pauses can be troublesome
because their meaning can vary widely.

Culture and Diversity

● Culture is an important and significant part of our lives, personally and professionally and a crucial
element in communication and health care.
● Cultural frameworks will differ based on ethnicity, national origin, race, religion, class, sexual
orientation, gender and age.
● Culture influences how we communicate in many ways. One of which is how much information we
convey when communicating

High versus Low Context Cultures and Communication Styles

High-context cultures and the contrasting low-context cultures are terms presented by the anthropologist
Edward T. Hall in his 1976 book Beyond Culture. It refers to a culture's tendency to use high-context
messages over low-context messages in routine communication. This choice of speaking styles translates
into a culture that will cater to in-groups, an in-group being a group that has similar experiences and
expectations, from which inferences are drawn. In a higher-context culture, many things are left unsaid,
letting the culture explain. Words and word choice become very important in higher-context
communication, since a few words can communicate a complex message very effectively to an in-group
(but less effectively outside that group), while in a low-context culture, the communicator needs to be
much more explicit, and the value of a single word is less important. [source: Hall, E. Beyond Culture, 1976]

Much of what we “see” in a culture is often just the tip of it all.

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Another way to think about it is through the concept of dimensions of culture. There are Primary and
Secondary Dimensions of Culture and Self.

Primary dimensions are:

● Unchanging, inborn and exert impact throughout our lives
● They are the core of our individual identity.
● They shape our basic self-image, and our life experiences are filtered through them.

Secondary dimensions:
● Change throughout our lives
● They exert an impact on our self-esteem, self-definition, needs and priorities.
● They add another layer of complexity to the way we see ourselves and others
● These dimensions impact us differently e.g., Income most poor people are negatively affected, while
upper-income people may be impacted differently.

Issues of age and level of education can be more significant than the surface definition of gender or
ethnicity.

Ethics and Standards of Practice

What are Ethics?

Without getting too complicated, let’s just state that ethics refer to a set of moral principles or values that
guide the behavior of an individual or group. These principles and values help individuals to distinguish
between right and wrong; to act in a manner that is morally right. Ethics can be personal or societal, and
they often reflect the cultural and social norms of a particular community or society.

There are many theories about where ethics come from. Some believe that ethics are inherent in human
nature, and that people are naturally inclined to act in a moral manner. Others argue that ethics are
learned through socialization and the influence of family, friends, and society.
Regardless of where they come from, ethics are important in guiding the behavior of individuals and
organizations. Professional ethics are important because they help to ensure that professionals uphold the
values and standards of their respective fields.

Ethical codes of conduct are designed to support and protect a profession, the professionals therein, the
people that use the services of that professional, and the public interest at large. To that end, ethical
guidelines must have relevance and meaning for the occupation and its purpose.

Research in community interpreting has found an array of different codes of conduct across the globe. A
study published in June 2022 analyzed 6 different codes of conduct for community-based interpreting
and found that the ethical principle of confidentiality was found in all 6 standards and that the principles of
accuracy, impartiality, professionalism and professional development were common across most.

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While the exact wording for a code of conduct or ethical guidelines may vary, there are some consistent
principles that remain. In this course we reference the National Standards Guide for Community
Interpreting Services because it continues to be the document most recognized in Canada. Even though it
was originally published in 2007 and has not been updated in any substantial form, the NSGCIS continues
to reflect the main ethical guidelines that are important for interpreters working in community-based
settings. These eight principles are:

● Accuracy and Fidelity

● Confidentiality
● Impartiality
● Respect for Persons
● Maintenance of Role Boundaries
● Accountability
● Professionalism
● Continued Competence

You can find a copy of the National Standards Guide for Community Interpreting Services by going to
TIL’s website.

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The Professional Introduction

The Professional Introduction is an important tool and protocol for interpreters. Because not everyone in
the interpreting session will know what your true role and function is, the introduction statement serves to
both educate and make people aware of how you will be doing “your job” and outline your role and
responsibilities. It takes practice to get a good, concise introduction statement that you are confident to
give, but practice will make it perfect. And one more thing to know about the professional introduction –
one size does not fit all. You need to be ready to adjust your statement to the context and the audience.
Here is a sample statement:

Sample Introduction Statement

Introduce yourself using this statement – or construct one that makes sense for you. An
introduction statement is an example of using best practices as an interpreter.

“Hello my name is _________. I will be your interpreter for the session with ____. Please speak
directly to the client and I will ask the client to speak directly to you. Also please allow me to
interpret after each response you make. In addition, at the beginning of the session, please allow
me the opportunity to explain my role to the client. I will state the following to them:
I am here so that you will be better able to understand (the health provider) and that (the health
provider) is better able to understand you. It is my responsibility to interpret everything said in the
session either by you or the practitioner. Everything said in this room is private and confidential
and will not be repeated outside this room.”

Additional things you can mention (if you wish or need to)
● I am not here to judge or give advice
● Please listen carefully to me before answering the practitioner
● If you begin to speak too fast or say too much I will stop you so that you can accurately interpret
what you have said.

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In Conclusion

Community interpreting can be very demanding in ways that other settings of interpreting are not.

Why is this?

Often, the community interpreter is the only person in the meeting who speaks both languages. While in
other settings, such as courtrooms, business meetings, or conferences, many people can watch the
interpreters at work, that is not the case with community interpreting. And in those other settings, there
are bound to be others in the room that are also bilingual. Moreover, interpreters in some settings may
work in teams, so they have a colleague or colleagues that they can ask questions of or gain some
support from. In community settings, interpreters are left to their own assessments and sense of honour or
duty. This is a privileged position, but along with privilege comes an chance to abuse it by wielding their
power in ways that may be unethical. This can be a very stressful position for interpreters.

Below are a few unique characteristics of community interpreting.

● Sometimes an interpreting session may include a friend or relative of the non-English speaker who
speaks both languages to some extent, but rarely is this person fluent enough to act as an
interpreter. However, they may try to interfere, correct you or even sideline you when you attempt
to interpret.

● Some sessions are highly emotionally charged, and this can lead to stress and anxiety, especially
if either the professional or the non-English speaking client/family members pressure the
interpreter in any number of ways, or try to coerce them in ways that would cause them to break
professional standards.

● Community interpreting often takes place when people are experiencing some sort of trauma or
intervention in their lives. It is rarely a happy moment, although the outcomes are often very
positive. Many community interpreters say that they feel very honoured to be sharing in these
precious moments of the lives of others, and grateful that they can be of assistance.

● Many clients may be interacting with a system about which they have little to no information or
may be completely confused and unaware of the process in which they are involved. This causes
them stress and anxiety which can, in turn, affect the interpreter’s ability to interpret or experience
a sense of calm understanding among all parties. Additionally, because clients are often left to
their own resources to navigate systems like social services or healthcare, they may turn to the
interpreter for help - being the one with the language and systems knowledge the client needs.

These challenges put more pressure on the interpreter’s language and interpreting skills, but the
interpreter can offset these challenges with training and ongoing professional development.

Interpreting is a profession that requires attention to the professional skills and competences but also to
the practical aspects of the workday world. By recognizing that your role combines both the theoretical
and the practical, you will succeed in advancing as a professional interpreter.
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