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Worried about the quality of your interpreting services? You should be!
Posted by: Elfie Burgess, Business Development Manager
Recent investigations have revealed that many UK translation and interpreting agencies have been supplying inexperienced and unqualified interpreters to Police Authorities, resulting in possible wrongful convictions and wrongful acquittals. Veritas are saddened, but not surprised, to hear that such bad practice exists within the industry, and are on a mission to educate the world about the need for quality interpreting services!
Interpreting is an incredibly challenging discipline which requires dedicated training. An interpreter must be skilled in expressing himself or herself orally, in order to be able to communicate with the same clarity and effectiveness as the original speaker, and must demonstrate insight and the ability to react quickly.
At Veritas we understand that not anyone who speaks two languages has the required level of skill to provide interpreting services. We only supply interpreters who have at least 5 years’ professional interpreting experience and who have a relevant degree. All our interpreters must also be fully registered with a recognised Interpreting Organisation, such as the Association of Police and Court Interpreters. Providing interpreting services for a legal situation must be taken extremely seriously, as it can mean the difference between guilty and not guilty!
If you have any concerns about the skill level of an interpreter you are using, you should always ask to see the interpreter’s credentials. Is it not true that a good translation agency will have nothing to hide and will be happy to supply you with any information you request?
If you’re interested in hiring one of our qualified interpreters, visit our interpreting services page today.
Discussion
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February 4, 2011
Indeed. I’ve even seen qualified interpreters contravening codes of conduct by giving advice, a real no no, or becoming too personally involved with the person they were interpreting for. And as for the unqualified ones!!! Happily revealing confidential information in public areas.
I was unable to interpret in a highly sensitive case due to a prior commitment, and the court was initially offered someone who spoke the language required but had had no experience in court interpreting at all as a substitute. It’s hard enough when you are experienced. Another example of the ‘I speak two languages, I can do your job’ belief. NO YOU CAN’T.
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About the Author
Elfie is Veritas’ in-house ‘Cymraes’. Born and bred in Wales, she ventured beyond the border to complete a BA (hons) degree in Modern Languages at Oxford University and spent a year in Paris where she fell in love with the French language and culture. Her leadership skills were also put to the test as an English teacher for teenagers living in the notorious Parisian “banlieux”. Elfie is currently (more or less) fluent in English, Welsh and French but is determined to ‘perfect’ these three languages before learning a fourth! Having completed numerous jobs and internships in the Media Relations and Marketing sectors, Elfie is delighted to be combining her flair for language with her marketing and business expertise, and is committed to being at the forefront of Veritas’ growth.