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Hiring and Interpreter:

 

How to Hire An Interpreter:
Sometimes people who are searching for interpreters have the impression that there are very few of them around. Most of Mano a Mano's members are working interpreters all over the world. A helpful analogy is to think of interpreters like the roads in a large metropolitan area. Most of the time, there are plenty of lanes to go around, but that is not the case during peak traffic times and rush hour.
Hiring an interpreter can seem expensive. Interpreters earn a living from their work just like other professionals. We have families and partners and children and homes just like you do. In addition, unless interpreters are staff interpreters, they pay their own health insurance and self-employment (employer) taxes, fund their own retirement plans, and spend more money on their cars than people who have a regular and predictable commute.
Here are a few tips to improve your chances of successfully hiring the right interpreters when you need them:

Working in three cultures and three languages is complex.
To be successful the interpreter will need some basic information:
What is the event? One on one? Group? How long? Will there be written materials?
Video presentations? Music? Legal documents?
What is the client’s native language?
Deaf?
Hard of hearing?
Oral?
Non signing?
Age?
Educated in what country?

Contrary to popular belief sign language is not the same throughout the world; each country will have a completely different sign language even if there are two countries that speak the same spoken language. For example Great Britain vs. USA; Mexico vs. Guatemala; Spain vs. Central America; completely different. So when you request the interpreter please check with the Deaf person. Just because they have a sirname that is Latino doesn’t mean they even know any Spanish. It is better to find out before the event than after and then having to reschedule everyone for the event again. The Deaf Person may have never worked with an interpreter before, or the person may also know a interpreter that they have worked with before. It is not appropriate to use a child to interpret for a family member.

The interpreter will need to meet with the Spoken language consumer as well as the Deaf consumer. It may take a few minutes to determine if there is a match of languages and vocabulary that will be used during the assignment. This basic exchange will allow clear communication to go in all directions.

There are occasions when a intermediary interpreter will be needed, when the interpreter is not able to accurately interpret for the situation. The accronym for this is CDI Certified Deaf Interpreter. This person is a trained professional that is Deaf that has a certification Equal to a Hearing Interpreter, but the person has native language skills. If you need more information on this please contact The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. RID. Or check with the interpreter referral agency in your area.

• Call about two weeks in advance of your meeting. Call as far ahead as you can for meetings, medical appointments and special events. Planners often forget about or overlook the need for interpreters. Calling at the last minute, or even 3 or 4 days ahead, may result in disappointment.
• Try to be flexible when scheduling meetings and appointments. We may be available at a slightly different hour or on another day.
• Establish ongoing relationships with individual professionals. Interpreters who work with you regularly will try to accommodate you.
• Treat interpreters like professionals. Interpreters who enjoy working with you will try to make their schedules fit your schedule. Know when you need to hire interpreters in teams.
• Choose an agency service provider and work with their staff to anticipate busy times when the demand for interpreters is high both during the day and by season.

 
 
 

Welcome to

Mano a Mano
 

Tips

• Pay interpreters on time and according to local standards. You should pay for mileage and parking. You might consider paying travel time in the area if getting to your place of business or your event is difficult.
• Create a staff position if you have ongoing communication needs.

How to Hire An Interpreter:
Sometimes people who are searching for interpreters have the impression that there are very few of them around. Most of Mano a Mano's members are working interpreters all over the world. A helpful analogy is to think of interpreters like the roads in a large metropolitan area. Most of the time, there are plenty of lanes to go around, but that is not the case during peak traffic times and rush hour.

Hiring an interpreter can seem expensive. Interpreters earn a living from their work just like other professionals. We have families and partners and children and homes just like you do. In addition, unless interpreters are staff interpreters, they pay their own health insurance and self-employment (employer) taxes, fund their own retirement plans, and spend more money on their cars than people who have a regular and predictable commute.
Here are a few tips to improve your chances of successfully hiring the right interpreters when you need them:

Working in three cultures and three languages is complex.
To be successful the interpreter will need some basic information:
What is the event? One on one? Group? How long? Will there be written materials?
Video presentations? Music? Legal documents?
What is the client’s native language?
Deaf?
Hard of hearing?
Oral?
Non signing?
Age?
Educated in what country?

Contrary to popular belief sign language is not the same throughout the world; each country will have a completely different sign language even if there are two countries that speak the same spoken language. For example Great Britain vs. USA; Mexico vs. Guatemala; Spain vs. Central America; completely different. So when you request the interpreter please check with the Deaf person. Just because they have a sirname that is Latino doesn’t mean they even know any Spanish. It is better to find out before the event than after and then having to reschedule everyone for the event again. The Deaf Person may have never worked with an interpreter before, or the person may also know a interpreter that they have worked with before. It is not appropriate to use a child to interpret for a family member.

The interpreter will need to meet with the Spoken language consumer as well as the Deaf consumer. It may take a few minutes to determine if there is a match of languages and vocabulary that will be used during the assignment. This basic exchange will allow clear communication to go in all directions.

There are occasions when a intermediary interpreter will be needed, when the interpreter is not able to accurately interpret for the situation. The accronym for this is CDI Certified Deaf Interpreter. This person is a trained professional that is Deaf that has a certification Equal to a Hearing Interpreter, but the person has native language skills. If you need more information on this please contact The National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. RID. Or check with the interpreter referral agency in your area.

• Call about two weeks in advance of your meeting. Call as far ahead as you can for meetings, medical appointments and special events. Planners often forget about or overlook the need for interpreters. Calling at the last minute, or even 3 or 4 days ahead, may result in disappointment.
• Try to be flexible when scheduling meetings and appointments. We may be available at a slightly different hour or on another day.
• Establish ongoing relationships with individual professionals. Interpreters who work with you regularly will try to accommodate you.
• Treat interpreters like professionals. Interpreters who enjoy working with you will try to make their schedules fit your schedule. Know when you need to hire interpreters in teams.
• Choose an agency service provider and work with their staff to anticipate busy times when the demand for interpreters is high both during the day and by season.
• Pay interpreters on time and according to local standards. You should pay for mileage and parking. You might consider paying travel time in the area if getting to your place of business or your event is difficult.
• Create a staff position if you have ongoing communication needs.