Interpreting Assignment Preparation Guide

Introducing Yourself for a Consecutive Interpretation Assignment

This is an interpreting assignment preparation guide that will help you during your interpretation session. It is important to state the following points in both languages:

Your name
Who sent you (Languages in Motion) (Any other information is on your Interpreter Request Form)
What you are here to do (Interpretation. Instructions are on your Interpreter Request Form)
Tell them that you will maintain absolute confidentiality
Ask the Client permission to interpret for him or her
Clarify that everything will be interpreted
Explain that you will interpret in the first person and that you’ll announce yourself by referring to yourself as ‘The Interpreter’
Ask them to pause here and there so that you can interpret everything
Indicate that it may be necessary to ask speakers to stop/slow down and that you will use a hand signal to ask them to stop in case you need to catch up
Indicate that it may be necessary for you to ask for clarification
Tell all the parties that you may take notes
Let them know that if the interpretation is longer than 3 hours, you’ll need a break

Here is an example:

I’ve been sent by Languages in Motion to facilitate the communication between ___________and ____________ (Example: Name of Patient and Doctor)

As an Interpreter I will interpret everything, so please speak in short sentences and only one person at a time. (This can be said if there are many people participating in a conversation).

Everything that is said during the session will be confidential. I may need to take notes during the session which will be destroyed immediately after the interpretation ends.

I will interpret everything in the first person and announce if I am referring to myself saying ‘The Interpreter’

Please speak to each other in short sentences and one person at a time, I may interrupt for clarification by raising my hand.

I will be taking a 15 min break every 3 hours.

Do you agree to have me interpret for you today?

Read more about this interpreting assignment preparation guide in our blog post
“Tips for a successful consecutive interpretation session“