What to look for in an interpreter or translator

With the internet providing you access to people all over the world, it may feel hard to know what to look for in an interpreter.

How do you know the person you’re hiring is qualified? How do you know your interpreter will do a good job? What pricing is fair? What should you be looking for in an interpreter?

Here are three things to consider when hiring a language interpreter. 

What types of skills do they have?

There are skills that a language interpreter should have that will help them best support you in your project. 

For example, it’s important that an interpreter has a keen eye for detail. You don’t want them to miss important information or overlook a detail that leaves you without everything you need.

Depending on the situation, it may also be important that your language translator has good people skills. They may need to pick up on tone of voice or facial expressions to properly translate what is being communicated. They should also know what types of clarifying questions to ask if needed, and they should be able to communicate with both parties in a very neutral way. 

What are the interpreter or translator’s qualifications? 

When you’re choosing a language interpreter for your project, you don’t want to work with someone who is unqualified.

Anyone who speaks two languages isn’t guaranteed to be a good fit for your needs.

You should consider the specific needs of your project, and ensure that you’re looking for someone who meets your qualifications. It’s important that your interpreter knows the two or more languages you’re working with, but it’s also important that they know the context of your needs are all qualified to support you in them.

What is their experience like?

Qualifications and experience are both going to impact someone’s ability. Just because someone has the qualifications for your job, doesn’t necessarily mean that their experience makes them the right fit.

When you’re looking to work with an interpreter or translator, we recommend being open and honest about your project to ensure that they can confirm that they’ll be a good fit for your project. You would hate to agree to work with someone and then learn that they don’t have experience in the area that you need their help. 

By asking about qualifications, experience, and skills you can find confidence in knowing that you’re partnering with someone who will be able to serve you and your project well. 

Looking to hire a great interpreter or translator who is going to be able to assist you with your project? We can help!