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

Oct 27, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The lack of access to community interpreters can have a profound effect on a person's ability to enjoy basic rights and services. Without interpreters, people who speak a language other than the dominant language of their community can experience difficulty communicating with doctors, teachers, employers, and other community members. Furthermore, the lack of access to interpreters can create an environment of exclusion and isolation, resulting in decreased social and economic opportunities, access to resources, and even mental and emotional health. All of these factors can contribute to a lower quality of life for individuals and communities who lack access to community interpreters.

Steps How to Become

Complete a degree or certificate program in translation or interpretation. Depending on your career goals, you may want to pursue a degree in translation, interpretation, linguistics, or a related field. Alternatively, a certificate program in translation or interpretation may also provide you with the necessary skills.
Gain experience in the field. It is important to gain experience in the field before you can become a professional interpreter. This can be done through volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs with language services companies.
Become certified. Many states and organizations require interpreters to be certified before they can work professionally. Check with the organizations in your area to find out what certifications are required.
Join professional organizations. Joining professional organizations can help you stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies in the field, as well as give you access to job opportunities.
Network with other interpreters. Networking with other interpreters can help you establish a network of professionals that you can rely on for advice and assistance.
Learn new languages. Becoming fluent in new languages can help you expand your client base and increase your earning potential.

The need for interpreters in the community is increasing, and to remain qualified and up-to-date, interpreters must take the necessary steps. One of these steps is to attend seminars and conferences related to the interpreting field, as they provide an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and best practices. Another step is to pursue continuing education and certification, since many employers and organizations require interpreters to be certified in order to remain qualified.

staying abreast of current events and developments in the community is essential, as it helps interpreters stay informed about the topics that may come up during an interpretation session. Finally, networking with other interpreters can also be beneficial, as it allows interpreters to discuss their experiences and learn from each other. By taking these steps, interpreters can ensure that they stay updated and qualified in the ever-evolving field of community interpreting.

You may want to check Court Interpreter, ASL/English Interpreter, and Telephonic Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Provide language interpretation and translation services to individuals and organizations, both orally and in written form.
Work with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including refugees, immigrants, and other limited-English speakers.
Facilitate communication between people who do not share a common language.
Interpret conversations, meetings, and other events accurately and impartially.
Translate documents such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, medical forms, and other legal documents.
Collaborate with other professionals, including social workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and employment counselors.
Provide culturally sensitive advice on language and cultural issues.
Ensure interpreter neutrality and maintain confidentiality of client information.
Remain current on interpreting techniques and standards.
Participate in continuing education courses and workshops to develop professional knowledge and skills.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Knowledge of language interpretation techniques
Ability to accurately interpret complex information in both directions
Ability to remain impartial and objective
Knowledge of cultural and social norms in the communities being served
Patience and sensitivity when dealing with individuals from different cultures
Problem-solving skills
Good organizational skills
Ability to remain calm and professional in difficult situations
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Proficiency in the use of technology for interpreting services

An effective community interpreter must have strong communication and interpersonal skills in order to be successful. These skills include active listening, the ability to accurately interpret both verbal and non-verbal communication, and an understanding of cultural differences. Having these skills allows a community interpreter to effectively bridge the gap between different cultures, resulting in more successful communication between parties.

having a good understanding of the language being interpreted is also essential, as it is important to be able to convey the meaning and intent of the message correctly. Without strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a good understanding of the language being interpreted, a community interpreter would not be able to effectively bridge the gap between different cultures, leading to misunderstandings and potential conflicts.

Language Access Interpreter, On-Site Interpreter, and Language Line Interpreter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in community interpreting?
How do you stay up to date on changes in the language interpretation field?
Explain a time when you had to adapt to a difficult cultural situation while interpreting.
Describe your strategy for keeping multiple languages organized and accurate.
How do you ensure accuracy in your interpretation?
What challenges have you faced while interpreting in a community setting?
How do you handle difficult questions or requests from clients or other stakeholders?
Describe a situation where you had to handle a conflict between speakers of different languages.
How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple interpreting assignments?
What strategies do you use to maintain confidentiality while interpreting?

Common Tools in Industry

Interpreter's Notebook. A notebook used by interpreters to organize notes and information related to interpreting assignments. (eg: a notebook with sections for client information, interpretations, and notes to help the interpreter keep track of different assignments. )
Interpreting Dictionary. A dictionary with specialized terms used in interpreting that may not be found in a regular dictionary. (eg: a dictionary with terms related to medical, legal, or other specialized fields that can be used to help interpreters understand the material they are interpreting. )
Telephonic Interpreting Platform. An online platform designed to provide telephonic interpreting services. (eg: an online platform that connects interpreters with clients who need their services over the phone. )
Interpreter Training Software. Specialized software designed to help interpreters learn the skills they need to do their job. (eg: software that provides quizzes and exercises to help interpreters practice their interpreting skills. )
Interpreting Management System. Software designed to help interpreters manage their assignments and track their performance. (eg: a system that allows interpreters to record their daily activities and track their progress over time. )

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
American Translators Association (ATA)
National Alliance of Interpretation and Translation, Inc. (NAITI)
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC)
International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA)
National Association of Language Specialists and Interpreters (NALSI)
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
American Society of Interpreters and Translators (ASIT)
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)

We also have Translator/Interpreter, Speech-Language Pathology Interpreter, and American Sign Language Interpreter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Interpreting. The process of translating spoken or signed language from one language to another, or from a sign language to a spoken language.
Translating. The process of converting written or spoken language from one language to another.
Bilingual Interpreter. An interpreter who is fluent in two languages, and can interpret between them.
Community Interpreter. An interpreter who works within the community, providing interpretation and translation services to the public.
Source Language. The language in which the original message is delivered.
Target Language. The language into which the message is translated.
Simultaneous Interpreting. Interpreting in which the interpreter renders an interpretation of the source language as it is being spoken without pauses.
Consecutive Interpreting. Interpreting in which the interpreter speaks after the speaker has finished a statement or phrase.
Sight Translation. Interpreting from written material into spoken language, without any preparation time.
Accessibility Interpreting. Interpreting services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, to ensure that they are able to access and participate in a variety of settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Community Interpreter?

Community Interpreter is a free online service designed to connect people who need language interpretation services with qualified interpreters. It provides access to professional interpreters who are available on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How does Community Interpreter work?

Community Interpreter utilizes a unique matching system to connect users with interpreters that specialize in the language they need. Users can search for interpreters by language, location, and availability, and can select the best fit for their needs.

What languages are offered on Community Interpreter?

Community Interpreter currently offers interpretation services in more than 180 languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, and German.

How much does Community Interpreter cost?

Community Interpreter is free for users. The cost for interpreters depends on the number of minutes required for the assignment and the language being interpreted.

What type of support does Community Interpreter provide?

Community Interpreter provides customer support through email, phone, and chat. Additionally, the website provides a comprehensive FAQ section and tutorials for getting started.

Web Resources

The Community Interpreter: Medical Focus | Center cllc.osu.edu
Community Interpreting Certificate | Viterbo University www.viterbo.edu
ETHICS AND STANDARDS for The Community Interpreter - Academia.e www.academia.edu