Working with an Interpreter

Booking
When booking an interpreter, please try to do this in advance as interpreter's are in high demand.

When contacting interpreters and enquiring their availability; the following information is needed:

When (dates and times; start and finish time), Where (the address or platform), Why (meeting, training, theatre rehearsal, mental health appointment).

Then once the booking is confirmed, please provide information on;
Contact details, the platform link (if it is remote), any preparation materials (script, presentation, agendas, minutes etc), who the main contact person is and their details, and this includes the coworkers booked.

Preparation materials:

Please email any prep to interpreters as soon as possible, as this enables the interpreter(s) to work to the best of their ability. The interpreter(s) can familiarise themselves with any jargon and understand the topic of conversation. It can also be helpful for interpreters to meet with the speaker /chair before the starting time as then this allows for any questions anyone may have. Sometimes there might not be any information to pass onto the interpreter(s) and this is okay as we do know that sometimes meetings can be spontaneous.

Any preparation material or information shared with the interpreter(s) prior to the assignment will be treated in the strictest confidence and handled in line with the NRCPD Code of Conduct.

How many interpreters do you need?
For bookings of over an hour or ones that are of a high intensity, two interpreters will be needed. This allows the quality of the interpretation to be maintained through co-working. This is when you will see the interpreters swapping between producing the interpretation and supporting their colleague. For spoken events with networking, please consider that you may need at least 3 interpreters but this can depend on how many Deaf people are attending. For longer events such as festivals, a team of interpreters will be needed.

Tips

It is important for the interpreter(s) to hear clearly. Please make sure interpreter(s) are positioned near the speaker at the front, or central enough to be able to hear all of the speakers. You may also need to consider a foldback speaker or any extra equipment to support the interpreter(s) to hear clearly. In meetings, participants should speak one at a time, this means the interpreter(s) are able to hear everything and the Deaf person is getting full access. With online / remote interpreting, it is good to remind people to mute themselves to avoid any unnecessary background noise.
The interpreter(s) will need to sit opposite the deaf person or within their eye line. Don't sit the interpreter in front of a window, as the glare can make it difficult for the deaf person to see their face. Please also make sure that the room is well lit.

There is no need for you to slow down your speech or pause for the interpreter to catch up. If the interpreter(s) need to clarify anything or ask you to repeat something, they will do so along the way. If the booking is with a deaf person who may have complex language needs, the interpreter will advise on the best way of working.
There will be a time lag when interpreting, this means an interpreter will or could till be interpreting even if you have stopped talking. and vice versa; the Deaf person could have stopped signing but the interpreter is still voicing over.

Talk to the deaf person directly. You do not need to say "ask her..." or "tell him...". The interpreter will work into BSL at the same time as a person is speaking, and into spoken English at the same time as the deaf person is signing.

Please do not expect the interpreter to contribute their personal view to the discussion. They are impartial and are present in professional capacity only.
Interpreters will interpret everything that is said or signed as faithfully as possible. Please do not ask the interpreter to omit anything. If you need to talk privately, please do so by leaving the room.

For more information on how to work with an interpreter, please read this guide: https://www.nubsli.com/guidance/interpreter-awareness-guide/

As I am registered with the NRCPD, I follow their code of conduct: https://www.nrcpd.org.uk/code-of-conduct