Interpreting and
Translating Service NT
A guide to working with
interpreters and translators
DEPARTMENT OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT

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The Northern Territory is a culturally and linguistically diverse place.
Did you know that 34 per cent of Territorians speak a language other
than English at home (ABS, 2006). This means that a large proportion
of the population will face language barriers when trying to access the
services provided by your organisation.
How can we help you?
We provide:
• Face to face/onsite interpreting and translating services in
migrant and refugee languages.
• On-going training to new and existing interpreters and
translators.
• Workshops on Cross-Cultural Awareness and Working with
Interpreters and Translators.
• Advice on the preparation of text for translation into migrant and
refugee languages.
Do you display this symbol?
The interpreter symbol (pictured) shows the public where people with
limited English can request language help.
By displaying this symbol your organisation shows that you
are committed to providing services to all Territorians, and
that you can arrange an interpreter or translator if needed.
Contact the Interpreting and Translating Service NT (ITSNT) to get a
copy of the interpreter symbol.
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT
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What’s the difference between Interpreters
and Translators?
People often use the terms interpreter
and translator interchangeably, however
there is a clear difference. It is important
to know the difference between the two
so you can make an accurate booking.
Both involve transferring a message from
one language into another, however the
method of delivery is different.
Interpreters
Interpreters help people who speak different languages to communicate
with each other. They do this by transferring messages verbally from
one language into another.
Translators
The primary role of a translator is to transfer written material from
one language into another. The translation may be from English into a
language other than English or vice versa.
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Interpreting and Translating Service NT

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Working with
Interpreters
What Interpreters do?
Interpreters provide a clear channel of communication between you and
your client. The interpreter is not to add or subtract to the communication,
but to only interpret what is being said.
The interpreter will maintain confi dentiality and not disclose information
received in the course of an assignment.
The interpreter is not an advocate or a counsellor and should not be
asked to provide advice, an opinion, explanation or any other assistance,
beyond an interpretation of the conversation.
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT
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What’s the difference?
There are four main styles of interpreting. Knowing the difference will
help you to know which style is best for your situation.
Consecutive Interpreting – is the most common style of interpreting,
where the speaker and the interpreter speak one after each other. The
interpreter listens to a few sentences or messages, and then says them
in the other language, while the speaker pauses. The speaker will then
continue and the process repeats itself.
Simultaneous Interpreting – is commonly used in conference
proceedings where the interpreter listens to the fi rst words that
the speaker says, then proceeds to interpret this immediately and
continuously as they continue to talk, so that the speaker and the
interpreter are speaking simultaneously.
Chucotage Interpreting (whispered interpreting) – is commonly used
in court proceedings where the interpreter keeps the client informed
of discussion taking place within the body of the court, such as legal
deliberations between the parties, evidence of other witnesses etc.
Sight Translations - occurs when an interpreter is required to provide an
oral and instantaneous interpretation of a written text, such as a court
order or a form.
Why use an Interpreter?
Using interpreters can help improve access to your programs. Some
clients may speak English, however this does not always mean that
you do not need an interpreter.
Communication is a two way process. Many factors can hinder effective
communication, however the ‘language barrier’ is often the major one.
The mere fact that a person can speak suffi cient English to respond
to basic questions or undertake daily tasks, does not mean that they
will be able to effectively communicate in more stressful or unfamiliar
environments.
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Interpreting and Translating Service NT

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Why use a Professional Interpreter?
Professional interpreters are bound by a strict code of ethics and have
completed training and assessment to certify that they have a certain
level of linguistic competence.
Relying on clients’ friends, children or other relatives to act as
interpreters can have serious consequences such as:
• Breach of privacy and confi dentiality.
• Lack of impartiality.
• Filtering of information to ‘protect’ their relative or friends.
• Using information for private advantage or gain.
• Inability to cope with subject matter or specialised terminology.
When to use an Interpreter?
You should use an Interpreter when your client:
• Shows no understanding of English.
• Is able to communicate in English but in a limited capacity.
• Is able to communicate in English but is more comfortable with
their own language.
• Is under stress which may affect their ability to communicate in
English.
‘I need an Interpreter’ Cards
ITSNT provides ‘I need an Interpreter’ cards to members of the public
that have identifi ed the need for an interpreter. If one of your clients
shows you this card, it means that you need to contact ITSNT to
arrange an interpreter. The card will show the language spoken by the
holder, to help with your booking.
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT
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How to Book an Interpreter
Requests for interpreters should be made in advance where possible to
ensure that an appropriate interpreter is available.
This checklist can be used to make sure that you have the necessary
information to make a booking.
The language or dialect required.
The name of your client.
Gender of your client.
The date, time and anticipated duration of the job.
Name of the person the interpreter should report to upon arrival.
The time you expect the interpreter to arrive.
The correct address for the assignment, including specifi c
instructions if the address, or location, is diffi cult to fi nd.
Type of assignment (e.g. appeals hearing, court hearing, area of
law, particular medical diagnosis)
Your name, agency and contact number.
Remember...
It is misleading to guess a
Allow enough time to brief the
client’s language by country
interpreter. If you are not able
of birth i.e. a person from
to do this before the meeting,
China may speak Mandarin,
offer your telephone number
Cantonese, Hakka or another
and ask the interpreter to
Chinese dialect.
contact you prior to the
interview date.
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Interpreting and Translating Service NT

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Working with a face to face Interpreter
Before the interview:
• You are in charge of the interview, not the interpreter.
• Introduce yourself and the interpreter to your client.
• Explain the purpose of the interview.
• Explain the role of the interpreter to your client.
• Ensure that you have a quiet place free from interruptions to
conduct the interview.
• If possible arrange seating in a triangle. This will help your client
to feel comfortable and not intimidated.
During the interview:
• Avoid leaving the interpreter alone with the client as this can
place the interpreter in a compromising and awkward situation.
• Speak directly to your client. Look at your client, not the
interpreter.
• Discourage the interpreter from chatting to yourself or the client
• Speak clearly and not too fast.
• Use plain English, avoid jargon or slang.
• Give only two or three ideas at a time.
• Do not rush. Make sure you allow adequate time for interpreting.
After the interview:
• Ask your client if everything was clearly understood. Find out if
there are any questions or concerns.
• After the client has left, debrief the interpreter, if necessary.
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT
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Working with a Telephone Interpreter
If no local interpreters are available you can use the Commonwealth
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
Phone 131 450
Once connected you will need to provide your agency’s name, client
code and location. You will also need to provide your name and
telephone number. Depending on how long the wait will be to connect
to an interpreter, you may be asked to wait on line or they may call you
back.
Once you are all connected:
• Take charge of the interview.
• Introduce yourself and the interpreter to the client.
• Let the interpreter know what type of equipment you are using
i.e. speaker phone, a conference call facility or whether you and
the client are on separate phones.
• Give a short brief of what you are going to discuss and explain
the role of the interpreter.
• Speak directly to the client, using the fi rst person.
• Conduct the interview using clear language.
• Use short simple sentences.
• At the end let the interpreter and the client know that they are
fi nished.
Telephone interpreting is best suited for discussions over the telephone
that will take less than 15 minutes. Interviews that are complex or
will take longer than 15 minutes should be conducted with an on-site
interpreter.
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Interpreting and Translating Service NT

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Working with
Translators
Why bother with Translations?
Translated material is useful for:
• Providing detailed information to a culturally and linguistically
diverse person.
• Improving community knowledge of available services,
resources, rights and entitlements.
• Reducing or eliminating the need for an interpreter.

Why use a Professional Translator?
• A professional translator ensures that texts are communicated
accurately, using an appropriate style and terminology.
• Translators can tailor the original text to your target audience
as appropriate and make allowances for cultural and linguistic
differences.
• A professional translator can prevent misunderstandings that
may occur when using a non-accredited translator.
Remember...
If written information is needed for people who can read
English, then it is also needed for people who cannot.
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND SPORT
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Document Outline

• Covers
• internals

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