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

Apr 2, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The lack of language access interpreters in schools can have a detrimental effect on the educational development of students. Without interpreters, non-English speaking students may not be able to communicate effectively with teachers or other students, leaving them isolated and unable to participate in the classroom. This can lead to lower academic performance, as well as increased social and emotional issues.

without an interpreter, it can be difficult for parents to effectively communicate with their childs teacher, leading to further confusion and misunderstanding. language access interpreters are an essential part of a successful educational environment for all students.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers require interpreters to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Obtain a bachelor's degree in language studies, linguistics, interpretation, translation or a related field. Most employers prefer interpreters who have formal training in language studies or related fields.
Become certified as an interpreter. There are several certification programs available for language access interpreters. The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters has a certification exam for medical interpreters and the National Court Interpreter Certification Exam is offered for court interpreters.
Participate in continuing education courses and workshops. Interpreters are expected to keep up with changes in language and culture as well as new resources that may be beneficial to their work.
Join professional organizations such as the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators or the American Translators Association. These organizations offer resources, networking opportunities and continuing education courses.
Develop a portfolio of your work and references from previous employers. This can be used to demonstrate your experience and qualifications to potential employers.

Learning how to stay ahead and qualified as a language access interpreter requires a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. The most successful interpreters are constantly updating their skills, staying informed of industry changes, and participating in continuing education and training. Taking courses and workshops that focus on the latest technology, interpreting techniques, and industry standards will give them the edge they need to stay competitive.

staying connected with professional organizations is a great way to network and learn from other professionals in the field. By keeping up with the latest trends and developments, language access interpreters will remain qualified and competitive.

You may want to check Court Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, and Technical Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Provide language access interpretation services for clients, including verbal and sign language interpretation, in a variety of settings such as court proceedings, medical appointments, conferences, and other events.
Communicate effectively with clients to ensure accurate interpretation of the information being conveyed.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality in all communications and interactions.
Provide culturally appropriate services and respect for the individuals cultural background and beliefs.
Prepare written reports summarizing all interpretation sessions as requested.
Remain current on changes in language access laws and regulations.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of terminology in multiple languages.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of interpretation services provided, and make recommendations for improvements as needed.
Demonstrate excellent customer service skills and professionalism in all interactions with clients and colleagues.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the English language and the language of interpretation.
Ability to accurately interpret spoken and written words in both languages.
Ability to effectively communicate in both languages.
Understanding of cultural norms and customs of the language being interpreted.
Skilled in note-taking, summarizing, and paraphrasing conversations.
Ability to remain impartial and objective while interpreting.
Knowledge of interpreting terminology, protocols, and ethical guidelines.
Knowledge of specialized subject matters such as medical, legal, or business terms.
Ability to adjust interpretive style to accommodate different audiences or contexts.
Ability to maintain concentration for extended periods of time and remain alert and focused.

Having the ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills for an interpreter to have. Language access interpreters help bridge the gap between people with different language backgrounds by providing interpretation services for those who need it. Being able to accurately communicate in both languages is essential for language access interpreters to be successful in their work.

This requires having a deep understanding of both languages, as well as a strong grasp of cultural nuances. Interpreters also need to be highly proficient in both cultures to effectively convey messages between the two parties. Furthermore, they must be able to remain objective while interpreting and be mindful of their own biases.

As a result, language access interpreters must possess a wide range of skills in order to effectively bridge the language barrier.

American Sign Language Interpreter, Translator/Interpreter, and Speech-Language Pathology Interpreter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How long have you been an interpreter?
What kind of language access interpreting have you done in the past?
What is your experience with working with different cultural backgrounds and languages?
Describe a challenging language access interpreting situation you've faced and how you handled it.
How do you ensure accuracy of the translations you provide?
Do you have any experience working in a medical setting?
How do you work with clients to ensure they understand the information being discussed?
What techniques do you use to stay focused when interpreting for long periods of time?
How do you handle situations where the client does not understand the language being interpreted?
Describe a time when you had difficulty understanding a language and how you overcame it.

Common Tools in Industry

LanguageLine Solutions. LanguageLine Solutions is an interpretation and translation service provider. It provides on-demand access to professional interpreters in over 240 languages. (eg: Video Remote Interpretation)
Interpreter Now. Interpreter Now is an automated language interpretation service providing on-demand access to professional interpreters in over 200 languages. (eg: Telephone Interpretation)
CyraCom. CyraCom is an interpretation service that provides on-demand access to professional interpreters in over 200 languages. (eg: Onsite Interpretation)
TranslateMe. TranslateMe is an automated language translation service that quickly translates text, audio, and video in over 80 languages. (eg: Speech Recognition Translation)
Lionbridge. Lionbridge is a language translation and localization service provider offering translation services in over 200 languages. (eg: Machine Translation)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Translators Association (ATA)
National Alliance of Interpreters and Translators (NAIT)
International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA)
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC)
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS)
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI)

We also have On-Site Interpreter, Document Translator/Interpreter, and Video Remote Interpreter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

American Sign Language (ASL). A visual-gestural language used by the Deaf community in the United States and parts of Canada.
Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). A professional who is certified in ASL and is also Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Transliteration. The process of representing spoken words from one language into another language using a written representation of the spoken words.
Sight Translation. The process of rendering written language from one language into another language, usually with the assistance of an interpreter.
Code Switching. The practice of alternating between two or more languages in the same conversation.
Cross-Cultural Communication. The process of engaging in meaningful dialogue among people from different cultural backgrounds.
Language Access Interpreter. An interpreter who is trained to provide interpreting services in order to ensure effective communication between speakers of different languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Language Access Interpreter? A1: A Language Access Interpreter is a professional interpreter who provides language access services to individuals who are not able to effectively communicate in English due to a language barrier. Q2: What types of languages can a Language Access Interpreter provide services for? A2: Language Access Interpreters typically provide services for over 200 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French, and American Sign Language. Q3: What services does a Language Access Interpreter provide? A3: Language Access Interpreters provide a variety of services, such as verbal interpretation, document translation, video remote interpreting (VRI), and telephone interpreting. Q4: How many years of experience do Language Access Interpreters typically have? A4: Language Access Interpreters typically have at least two years of experience in the field, although some may have more. Q5: How are Language Access Interpreters certified? A5: Language Access Interpreters must be certified by a recognized professional organization, such as the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care or the International Medical Interpreters Association.