"Mano a Mano" Pre-conference

Looking for Interpreters: How to Select An 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 in their own communities. A helpful analogy is to think of interpreters like the roads in your 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:

• 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 you live in if getting to your place of business or your event is difficult.

• Create a staff position if you have ongoing communication needs.

"Mano a Mano"takes a formal position which states that a consumer's best tools to evaluate choices of interpreters are:
1. RID certification (confirmed by RID listings)
2. Adherence to the RID Code of Professional Conduct, and
3. Deaf consumer preference.

Many people who are trying to locate an interpreter may not realize that they have an expert right under their very noses: the Deaf consumer of interpreting services. Deaf people may not always be able to recommend interpreters by name, they often know what qualities to look for in interpreters. Even Deaf consumers who know little about interpreting, know who they like to be around and who they trust. Over time, you'll come to know when communication is effective as well.

When you hire interpreters regularly, it's worth the time to develop relationships with several professionals. Interpreting is likely to be more comfortable for everybody when there is consistency in communication protocol and when the interpreter is familiar with the context of your interactions. However, "freelance" interpreters accept appointments from a variety of interpreter referral services, businesses, medical providers, schools, and government offices so you may not be able to hire the same professional every time you need one.

Reliable interpreters adhere to the RID Code of Professional Conduct which has defined the professional behavior of interpreters for many years. Some interpreters also act as consultants or teachers-but not while they are interpreting.

Interpreters must gain and keep the respect of the Deaf and hearing consumers with whom they work. They have an obligation to remain fair and objective, which is one reason that it's not a good idea to hire family members or friends who are not qualified interpreters even if they are competent signers.

Further printed information is available from the RID on this topic
RID Fax-On-Demand service: 800/711-3691 Or click this Link to go to their web based info.