How to Be Bilingual Interpreter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 28, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The lack of bilingual interpreters in the healthcare industry can have a serious impact on patient outcomes. When patients are unable to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, they may not receive the most accurate and appropriate treatments. This can lead to poor health outcomes and delays in medical care.

Furthermore, it can create mistrust between the patient and the healthcare provider, resulting in a lack of compliance with medical instructions and an overall deterioriation of the patient-provider relationship. To ensure quality patient care, it is important for healthcare organizations to invest in and prioritize bilingual interpreters in order to provide accurate, effective communication between all parties.

Steps How to Become

Obtain an Education. The first step to becoming a bilingual interpreter is to get an education in translation and interpretation. Many universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees in translation, interpretation, linguistics, or a related field.
Obtain Certification. While certification is not always required to become a bilingual interpreter, it can help you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs. Certification is also often necessary to work in particular fields or with specific organizations.
Gain Professional Experience. Once you have your education and certification, you will need to gain professional experience in order to become a bilingual interpreter. This can include freelancing, working as an intern, or volunteering with a community organization.
Join Professional Associations. Joining professional associations can help you network with other professionals in the field and stay up-to-date on industry developments. It can also provide opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
Develop Interpreting Skills. Developing your interpreting skills is essential if you want to become a successful bilingual interpreter. This includes practicing different interpreting techniques and becoming familiar with different cultures and dialects. You should also work on developing your listening skills, as well as your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Becoming a skilled and capable bilingual interpreter requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and dedication. To attain the necessary level of proficiency, interpreters must have a deep understanding of both languages that they are interpreting between, as well as an appreciation for the nuances and subtleties of each language. they need to be familiar with the culture and customs of both languages in order to properly convey the meaning of messages.

Interpreters must also hone their active listening skills, so they can accurately interpret the spoken words of each language into the other language. With experience and practice, interpreters can improve their accuracy, speed, and overall skill level. Through dedication to their craft and a commitment to learning and improving, bilingual interpreters can become accomplished and respected professionals in their field.

You may want to check Language Line Interpreter, Technical Interpreter, and ASL/English Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Provide simultaneous or consecutive interpretation services in two languages for a variety of settings, including court proceedings, medical appointments, educational settings, and business meetings.
Interpret conversations between individuals in different languages, both verbally and in writing.
Translate written documents from one language to another.
Maintain an accurate and unbiased interpretation of both languages and cultures.
Research and clarify terms and concepts that are unfamiliar or not well understood.
Monitor and report any changes in language or cultural trends.
Maintain confidentiality of all information communicated in translation sessions.
Remain current on translation and interpretation technologies and techniques.
Work collaboratively with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
Train new interpreters and assist with their development.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to quickly and accurately interpret spoken language from one language to another.
Knowledge of culturally-specific etiquette, idioms, and expressions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages.
Strong listening skills and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Proficiency in using translation software and other technology.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
Superior problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet.
Flexibility and adaptability in order to accommodate varying scenarios.

Being a successful bilingual interpreter requires a variety of skills, but the most important skill to have is the ability to effectively communicate in both languages. This involves being able to understand and accurately interpret the nuances of both languages, including the cultural context and regional dialects. It also requires the interpreter to be able to quickly switch between both languages and to be adept at recognizing when one language might be more appropriate for a particular situation.

a good interpreter should be knowledgeable about the topics being discussed and have an understanding of the various legal and technical terms used in both languages. Without these skills, an interpreter may be unable to effectively transmit the meaning from one language to another, causing confusion and misunderstandings. Having these skills can greatly increase the accuracy and efficiency of interpretation work, leading to improved communication between parties speaking different languages.

Over-the-Phone Interpreter, ASL Interpreter, and Interpreter/Escort are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a bilingual interpreter?
What language pairs do you specialize in?
What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful interpreter?
Can you tell me about a difficult situation you had while interpreting and how you handled it?
Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision while interpreting?
How do you prepare for an interpreting job?
How do you maintain your accuracy and cultural sensitivity when interpreting?
What do you think is the biggest challenge of interpreting for different audiences?
Describe a time when you had to adapt to changing conditions while interpreting.
What strategies do you use to ensure that the message is accurately conveyed in both languages?

Common Tools in Industry

Skype. A VoIP program and instant messaging app that enables users to make voice and video calls and send text messages. (eg: Skype for Business)
Interpreter App. A mobile application that allows users to translate text or audio into a different language. (eg: iTranslate)
Translation Dictionary. An online dictionary that provides translations of words and phrases from one language to another. (eg: WordReference)
Speech Recognition Software. Software that recognizes spoken words and converts them into text. (eg: Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
Conference Call Service. A service that allows groups of people to communicate with each other over the phone and/or the internet. (eg: Zoom)
Video Conferencing Software. Software that allows users to communicate with each other in real-time over video. (eg: Skype for Business)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Translators Association (ATA)
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC)
International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA)
Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT)
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI)
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
International Association of Language and Law (IALA)
American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS)

We also have Sign Language Medical Interpreter, On-Site Interpreter, and Community Interpreter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Translator. A professional who converts written text from one language to another.
Interpreter. A professional who translates spoken words from one language to another.
Source Language. The language that is being translated from.
Target Language. The language that is being translated to.
Localization. The process of adapting a product or service to a particular language, culture and desired local look-and-feel.
Linguistics. The scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of grammar, syntax, and phonetics.
Glossary. An alphabetical list of specialized terms used in a particular field, with definitions.
Terminology Database. An organized collection of terms and their definitions used in a particular field.
Machine Translation. The use of computer software to translate text from one language to another.
Interpretation. A form of translation that involves communicating verbal messages from one language to another in real-time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of a Bilingual Interpreter?

The primary role of a Bilingual Interpreter is to facilitate communication between two speakers who do not share a common language by translating one language into another in both spoken and written form.

What languages are typically used by Bilingual Interpreters?

Bilingual Interpreters typically work with two languages, often a combination of English and another language, such as Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Russian, Japanese, or Arabic.

What qualifications do Bilingual Interpreters need?

Bilingual Interpreters need to have a high level of proficiency in both languages they are working with and must have excellent communication skills. In addition, many employers require that interpreters have certification in the language they are working with.

How much do Bilingual Interpreters typically earn?

The salary of a Bilingual Interpreter can vary greatly depending on the language combination and experience. Generally, interpreters earn an average of $20 to $45 per hour.

What type of settings do Bilingual Interpreters typically work in?

Bilingual Interpreters typically work in settings such as legal proceedings, medical appointments, business meetings, and community events.

Web Resources

Bilingual Interpreter Certificate - Lone Star College www.lonestar.edu
New Bilingual Interpreter Credential Available to Professionals in ... news.uark.edu
Bilingual Testing | Bakersfield College www.bakersfieldcollege.edu