Do you need a professional interpreter in your business or event?
Language direct has been providing interpreting and translation services in London for more than a decade. In that span of time we managed to gain insight on what makes a good professional interpreter.
How to Spot a Professional Interpreter
Perhaps the most obvious characteristic of a good interpreter is MASTERY. An interpreter must master the source language and the target language – the former being the language of the source and the latter being the language of the product translation. A professional interpreter must have an in-depth knowledge of the languages, an understanding of all its nuances and complexities, a broad vocabulary of the two languages, and the ability to be able to express himself with a high degree of accuracy.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS. A professional interpreter must also have the ability to analyze the information that he heard and be able to express what he understood to the target audience. He should be able to construe meaning from the information that he received from the speaker.
ADAPTABILITY. Interpreters often have very limited time to adjust to the subject or the speaker’s accent. He should be able to adjust to those circumstances including the technical terms used in the conference so he’d be able to use it appropriately.
CONCENTRATION. This is one important aspect. A professional interpreter should have a very high level of concentration especially when involved in simultaneous interpretation. Lack of focus could lead to the audience losing thread of the argument or the conversation.
PLEASANT VOICE. A professional interpreter may be under a lot of stress but his voice should remain clear, calm and pleasant.
PUNCTUALITY. As a professional, one is expected to be on time. An interpreter plays a big role in helping people communicate with each other. Hiring a tardy interpreter will only keep the meeting or the conference from moving forward and being on schedule. This could result to a negative atmosphere and client dissatisfaction.
CONFIDENTIALITY. Sometimes an interpreter is needed in sensitive cases such as legal proceedings or doctor’s appointments. A professional interpreter should never discuss the details of these meetings with anyone.
APPEARANCE. This does not necessarily mean wearing a three-piece suit but it does mean that professional interpreters should dress something appropriate to the occasion. Avoid outfits such as shorts, jeans or anything too casual. A business casual attire should do the trick.
Call us now and get a free quote. We can definitely find you a professional interpreter that would suit your needs no matter where you are in the UK.
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