Where to Start?
Working with an interpreter for a large scale event comes with its own challenges. That being said, it also allows your event to reach a new audience and capitalize on them for a comparably small investment of time and funds. Before rushing to add a dedicated spot for an ASL interpreter at your next conference, though, be sure that you are prepared to work with an interpreter and that you understand some of the logistical concerns that arise with that commitment.
Vet your Interpreter’s Certifications
It is important to recognize that there is no “One-size-fits-all” solution for hiring an interpreter for a given event. That’s because certifications needed to work a given event as an interpreter vary wildly by language, state, and event scope. For example, hiring an ASL interpreter for an event is a complicated process, with every state usually having its own guidelines. Michigan has a tiered system that requires an ASL interpreter to have worked for several years in order to handle corporate meetings and large gatherings. In contrast, a language like Korean has very few official vetting channels, meaning that there is likely no red tape the event organizers have to navigate, but there are fewer official means of ensuring that your interpreter is skilled enough to handle the workload of your event. To ease the process, we recommend working with a skilled language services agency to ensure you are paired with the perfect interpreter for your event.
How Many Interpreters Do You Need?
Of course, if you’re planning a conference and have multiple presentations going on at once, you are going to need multiple interpreters. However, you should also consider the length of interpretation sessions when planning out your event. Interpretation is a taxing process, and if you plan for speeches and presentations that last over an hour, you will most likely need to have multiple interpreters at the ready to tag in and out. When these interpreters need to switch is usually at the preference of the interpreter, so be sure they know how long they are expected to work and touch base on when they expect a break.
Technical Requirements
Be sure to research the technical requirements needed for your specific event when planning out your interpretation package. A simultaneous interpreter will most likely need a dedicated headset and microphone, unless they are an ASL interpreter. Most likely, you will have to do some prep before hand to ensure the interpreter is familiar enough with the equipment.
Just Like Any Other Part of the Event
It’s important to remember that an interpreter is just like any other staff member at an event and should be kept in the loop. If there are rehearsals, have the interpreter there so they can have any questions answered beforehand. Inform them of which cameras to look at and what the signal will be if they need to change position. If the interpreter is coming from out of town, you are probably going to have to schedule accommodation for them or hammer out a reimbursement plan. If there is sensitive information being discussed, be sure to have them sign any confidentiality agreements up front. As with anything, communication is key.
