A personal interpreter translates from one language to another to make interpersonal communication easier. These can occur in a variety of settings, including clinical, legal, business, and social settings, and each requires a unique set of interpretation skills. It may be necessary to have a certification depending on where one works and the services provided. In other cases, all that is required is a working knowledge of two or more languages, with no other credentials required to work in the field.
Some interpreters work with a set of clients on a regular basis, and in some cases, they may only work with one client. For example, a deaf businessperson might hire a sign language interpreter to help at meetings and other events. Others are freelancers who offer their services to travelers or in other situations where interpreting is required on a short-term basis. Fees can vary depending on the contract’s terms. People who have specialized training in fields such as legal interpretation typically charge more to reflect their abilities.
Clients meet with interpreters to discuss their needs and ensure that they are a good match. It’s critical in medical and legal interpreting, for example, that the interpreter understands and can explain information. Knowledge of regional culture can be useful in business, and an interpreter can act as a filter, smoothing out rough edges in communication to help close a deal. For example, a client might ask a question that is culturally offensive, and the personal interpreter might rephrase it when translating.
The personal interpreter can listen, translate, and relay responses in situations where interpretation is required. Because the goal is to clearly communicate, interpretation is less literal. As a result, the interpreter may add personal asides or make recommendations to clarify or explain the situation. This is in contrast to activities such as formal document translation, which necessitates a very precise and accurate translation for legal reasons.
Personal interpretation services are available over the internet. Judges and doctors can use a personal interpreter who works over the phone to get translation quickly instead of calling someone in. This is especially problematic in rural areas where finding someone who speaks the language may take several hours. The personal interpreter can be reached immediately over the phone, though some nuances may be missed due to the inability to see body language and the difficulty of interpreting tone over the phone.