Concise Guide for Working withTranslators and Interpreters

in Australia

©

2

Concise Guide for Workingwith

Translators and Interpretersin

Australia

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd.

©

© National Accreditation Authority for Translators and InterpretersLtd. (NAATI) 2003.

This work is copyright. You may display, print and reproduce thismaterial in unaltered form (retaining this notice) only for your personal,non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from anyother use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rightsare reserved. Requests for further authorisation should be directed to:

Chief Executive Officer

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd(NAATI)PO Box 40Hawker ACT 2614 or by email to info@naati.com.au

A.B.N. 42 008 596 996

ISBN 0646 19879 3

Foreword

Although translators and interpreters have been instrumental in thebusiness and settlement of many Australians over the past severaldecades, their skills are not always valued or recognised as being anoutcome of many years of training and practice. All too often, those inneed of translators and interpreters call upon the first person they canidentify who is familiar with the language in need. To speak twolanguages does not guarantee competence as a translator orinterpreter.

For those more familiar with working with translators and interpretersthere is often a lack of familiarity with the NAATI accreditation systemand how it can assist in identifying the right practitioner for the task athand and how it can provide a measure of quality assurance.

This guide is intended for employers and direct clients of translatorsand interpreters. It aims to provide concise definitions and descriptionsof the different levels of NAATI accreditation and to assist with theselection of practitioners with qualifications most appropriate for thetasks.

The guide also provides information about the quality assurancesrelated to NAATI accreditation that can be used to verify the credentialsof the translators and interpreters together with the main principles ofthe practitioner’s code of ethics. A Concise Guide for Working withTranslators and Interpreters in Australia offers helpful hints on how bestto work with translators and interpreters, guidelines for working inspecialist areas (e.g. health or law) and guidelines for recruitment.

This publication is an important reference for both employers andclients of translators and interpreters in Australia.

Sherrill J BellChief Executive OfficerNAATI Ltd.

2

Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Definitions 2

Types of Translation 2

Types of Interpreting 2

Levels of Accreditation 3

Methods of Accreditation 6

Recognition 6

Languages for Accreditation and Recognition 7

NAATI Standards: Australian vs International Requirements 9

Duty of Care 13

Quality Assurance 13

Code of Ethics for Practitioners 16

How Best to Work with Translators and Interpreters 17

General Guidelines for Working with Interpretersin Interview Situations 18

Checklist for Working with Translators and Interpreters 19

How to Locate Accredited Translators and Interpreters 20

Further Information 22

NAATI Offices and Contact Information 23

1

Introduction

Do you use (or should you use) the services of professional Translatorsand/or Interpreters?

Are you fluent in both English and another language?

How do you know whether your Translator or Interpreter isperforming well?

DON’T PUT YOUR BUSINESS AT RISK!

For your peace of mind, for your professional practice or business, yourclients and counterparts, it is imperative that you can place your trustin a professional, NAATI-accredited Translator and/or Interpreter. Byengaging NAATI-accredited translators and interpreters in your practiceor business dealings, you are improving your competitive edge andenhancing your professionalism as well as increasing your potentialmarket!

Investing that little bit of extra time and care in ensuring that you areproviding the best service to your clients could make the differencebetween a successful outcome and a costly one.

NAATI is a national standards body owned by the Commonwealth,State and Territory Governments of Australia. It sets and maintainsstandards of Translation and Interpreting (T&I) in Australia byaccrediting Translators and Interpreters at a number of levels ofcompetence. NAATI accreditation has been instrumental in providingquality assurance to recipients of T&I services and in giving credibility toagencies that employ accredited practitioners.

To this end, NAATI has developed this guide for employers, potentialemployers and direct clients of T&I services to help them gain a leadingedge. It aims to provide concise definitions and descriptions of thedifferent levels of the T&I professions and to assist employers to selecta translator or interpreter with qualifications and competencies mostappropriate for the task.

2

Definitions

Interpreting is the oral transfer of the meaning of the spoken wordfrom one language (usually called source language) to another(target language). Sign Language interpreters transfer themeaning of the spoken word by signing with their hands andtransferring the meaning of signs by speaking. The official nameof the sign language used in Australia is Auslan (Australian SignLanguage).

Translation is the written conversion of a text from one language(source language) into another language (target language).

Types of Interpreting

Dialogue interpreting involves interpretation of conversations andinterviews between two people. The interpreter listens first toshort segments before interpreting them. The interpreter maytake notes.

Consecutive interpreting is when the interpreter listens to largersegments, taking notes while listening, and then interprets whilethe speaker pauses.

Simultaneous interpreting is the technique of interpreting into thetarget language while listening to the source language, i.e.speaking while listening to the ongoing statement. Thus theinterpretation lags a few seconds behind the speaker. Forconference interpreting, special equipment including a headphoneand microphone in a soundproof booth is usually required. Insettings such as business negotiations and court cases, whisperedsimultaneous interpreting or chuchotage is practised to keep oneparty informed of the proceedings.

Sign Language interpreting is a form of simultaneous interpretingbetween deaf and hearing people which does not require anyspecial equipment. It involves signing while listening to the sourcelanguage or speaking while reading signs.

Types of Translation

While the source text in translation is usually in written form, it cansometimes consist of recorded material. Of course, the targettext must always be in written form.

3

Sight translation involves transferring the meaning of written textby oral delivery (reading in one language, relaying message orallyin another language). Both translators and interpreters may becalled upon to provide sight translation.

Levels of Accreditation

NAATI accreditation is the only qualification officially accepted for theprofessions of Translation and Interpreting in Australia. There are fourlevels of NAATI accreditation which relate to the T&I professions. Eachis an indication of the level of competency achieved by the practitioner.The levels are:

Paraprofessional Interpreter:

This is the paraprofessional level and represents a level of competencein interpreting for the purpose of general conversations.Paraprofessional interpreters generally undertake the interpretation ofnon-specialist dialogues. Practitioners at this level are expected toupgrade to the professional level of accreditation.

Paraprofessional Translator

This represents a level of competence in translation for the purpose ofproducing a translated version of non-specialised information.Paraprofessional translators generally undertake very simple translationwork where some level of inaccuracy is acceptable.

Note: The paraprofessional level was formerly known as Level 2. As of 31December 1994 accreditation at the paraprofessional level in translation wasdiscontinued except for languages of special community need, namely forrecent immigrant and refugee arrivals, and for the Aboriginal languages.)

Interpreter

This is the first professional level and represents the minimum level ofcompetence for professional interpreting.

Interpreters at this level are capable of interpreting across a wide rangeof subjects involving dialogues at specialist consultations. They arecapable of interpreting presentations by the consecutive mode. Theirspecialisation may include the law, health, immigration and social andcommunity services. Auslan interpreters at this level normally work inthe simultaneous mode but are also capable of using the consecutivemode.

4

Translator

This is the first professional level and represents the minimum level ofcompetence for professional translation.

Translators at this level work across the same range of subjects asinterpreters and they too may choose to specialise. They are qualifiedto translate into one language only or into both languages, dependingupon their accreditation. For example, a one-way Translator is qualifiedto translate from English into Chinese while a two-way Translator isqualified to translate from English into Chinese AND from Chinese intoEnglish.

Translators and interpreters convey the full meaning of the informationfrom the source language into the target language in the appropriatestyle and register.

(The first professional level of NAATI accreditation for both translators andinterpreters is designated as Translator and Interpreter. This was formerlyknown as Level 3.)

Conference Interpreter

This is the advanced professional level and represents the competenceto handle complex/technical/sophisticated interpreting.

Conference Interpreters practise both consecutive and simultaneousinterpreting in diverse situations including at conferences, high levelnegotiations and court proceedings. Conference Interpreters operateat levels compatible with recognised international standards, and maychoose to specialise in certain areas.

Advanced Translator

This is the advanced professional level and represents the competenceto handle complex/technical/sophisticated translation.

Advanced Translators handle complex/technical/sophisticated material,compatible with recognised international standards. They too maychoose to specialise in certain areas. Advanced Translators areaccredited to translate either into one language only or into bothlanguages, depending upon their accreditation. However, it is mostcommon for them to translate from their second or third language intotheir first language.

5

Conference Interpreters and Advanced Translators convey the fullmeaning of complex information from the source language into thetarget language in the appropriate style and register.

(The advanced professional level in interpreting and translation is nowdesignated as Conference Interpreter and Advanced Translator. These wereformerly known as Level 4.)

Conference Interpreter (Senior) andAdvanced Translator (Senior)

This is the highest level of NAATI accreditation and reflects bothcompetence and experience.

Conference Interpreters (Senior) and Advanced Translators (Senior)are Conference Interpreters and/or Advanced Translators who haveachieved excellence in their field, recognised through demonstratedextensive experience and leadership.

(The Senior level in interpreting and translation is now designated asConference Interpreter (Senior) and Advanced Translator (Senior). Thesewere formerly known as Level 5.)

Summary of NAATI Accreditation Levels

Current Designations Pre-1995 Designations

Paraprofessional Translator Level 2 TranslatorParaprofessional Interpreter Level 2 Interpreter

Translator Level 3 TranslatorInterpreter Level 3 Interpreter

Advanced Translator Level 4 TranslatorConference Interpreter Level 4 Interpreter

Advanced Translator (Senior) Level 5 TranslatorConference Interpreter (Senior) Level 5 Interpreter

6

Methods of Accreditation

NAATI accreditation may be obtained in three ways:

by passing a NAATI test;

by successfully completing a course of studies at an Australianinstitution approved by NAATI;

by providing evidence of specialised qualifications in interpreting/translation obtained from a recognised training institutionoverseas, or membership of a recognised internationalprofessional association.

Recognition

Most people who receive a NAATI credential become accredited by oneof the methods described above. However, in certain languagesaccreditation has been unavailable, either through NAATI testing orapproved courses, due to very small applicant and community demandfor these languages.

People who wish to practise as a translator or interpreter in languageswhich are unlikely to be tested by NAATI frequently experience difficultyin obtaining employment. This has occurred more often in recent timesas employers and clients become more aware of NAATI credentials andnow insist on a minimum requirement of NAATI accreditation,preferably at the professional level. Whilst this is a reasonablerequirement for translators and interpreters in languages for whichNAATI has held tests or approved training courses in the past, it isparticularly hard on those translators and interpreters who are neverlikely to be offered the opportunity to sit a NAATI accreditation test.For people in this situation, Recognition is the only NAATI credentialavailable.

Eligibility

Translators/interpreters practising in rarer languages, to whomaccreditation is not available through one of the three methodsdescribed, may be eligible for Recognition. The Authority recognisescandidates in this category who are able to provide satisfactorydocumentary evidence that they are practising on a sufficiently regularbasis.

7

Status

NAATI Recognition does not have equal status with accreditation, nordoes it specify a level of proficiency, because NAATI has not had theopportunity to testify by formal assessment to a particular standard ofperformance. It is, in fact, intended to be an acknowledgement that, atthe time of the award, the candidate has had recent and regularexperience as a practitioner of translation and/or interpreting.

In summary: for practising translators and interpreters in certain rarerlanguages, NAATI Recognition may be the only NAATI credentialavailable. This means that employers and clients should normallyexpect to recruit NAATI-Recognised practitioners in certain rarerlanguages only, provided they also have appropriate work experience,but to recruit NAATI-accredited practitioners in all other languages.

Languages Tested by NAATI

NAATI Accreditation Available

Albanian Amharic Arabic Assyrian AuslanBangla Bosnian Bulgarian Burmese CantoneseCroatian Czech Dari Dutch Eastern ArrernteFilipino Finnish French German GreekHakka Hindi Hungarian Indonesian ItalianJapanese Khmer Korean Kurdish (Kurmanji)Kurdish (Sorani) Lao Macedonian MalayMaltese Mandarin Persian Pertame PitjantjatjaraPolish Portuguese Punjabi Pushto RomanianRussian Samoan Serbian Sinhalese SlovakSomali Spanish Tamil Thai TonganTurkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese

8

Languages NOT Tested by NAATI

NAATI Recognition Available

Afrikaans Armenian Azerbaijani Bielorussian CatalanCebuano Chaldean Cook Is Maori DanishEstonian Fijian Flemish Fuzhou GajerrongGarawa Georgian Gujerati Hamun HarariHazaragi Hebrew Hindustani Hiri-Motu HmongHokkien Ibo Ilocano Javanese KazakhKonkani Latvian Lingala Lithuania MalayalamMarathi Melanesian Miriuwung Mongolian MultaniNepalese Norwegian Nuer Oromo PidginPukapukan Pyirbal Shan Slovene SudaneseSwahili Swatow Swedish Syriac T’oishanTaiwanese Tatar Telugu Teo Chiew TetumTibetan Tigre Tigrinya Timorese (Haaka)Uighuyre Uzbek Warlpiri Wu (Shanghainese)YiddishNote: This list is not exclusive. Applications in languages not listed will be assessedand if successful, the language will be added to the list.

Over the past decade, NAATI has introduced testing in Albanian,Amharic, Assyrian, Bangla, Bosnian, Burmese, Dari, Hindi, Kurdish,Punjabi, Pushto, Samoan, Sinhalese, Somali, Tamil, Tongan and Urdu.From the date of introduction of testing, Recognition is no longerawarded to new applicants. All candidates previously Recognised areinformed of the availability of accreditation tests.

NAATI Recognition becomes invalid from 1 September of the yearfollowing the introduction of the accreditation tests.

When testing is first introduced it is normally at the paraprofessionallevel only, followed in subsequent years by tests at the professionallevel. After a period of approximately five years from introduction,NAATI will withdraw translation tests at the paraprofessional level, inline with the policy for all other mainstream languages. During the fiveyear period when practitioners are becoming accredited and upgrading,employers and clients should give preference in the following order:

Translator/Interpreter or Advanced Translator/Conference Interpreter Paraprofessional Translator/Interpreter Recognised Translator/Interpreter. Recognised practitioners should not be excluded from employmentduring this period.

9

NAATI StandardsAustralian vs International Requirements

It is important to understand that whilst there is virtually no distinctionbetween the international and Australian definitions of translator andinterpreter, there are differences between the role of translators andinterpreters in Australia and the contexts in which they practise, ascompared to the situations in which their overseas counterpartsoperate.

In Australia

The Australian scene is unusual in that T&I services are carried out in alarger variety of situations, namely within the community as well as forcommercial and diplomatic negotiations at a range of levels.Community services include working in areas of health, law, social andcommunity services, workcover and immigration, etc.

Professional translation and interpreting in Australia requirespractitioners to have a wide range of skills which enable them to workin situations ranging from general conversation through to those wherea thorough knowledge of specialised subjects and terminology isrequired. This is sometimes referred to as Community Translation andInterpreting where translation is commonly done from the secondlanguage INTO the first language while interpreting is carried out in bothlanguage directions. The particular needs of the migrant populationhave in fact helped create the special characteristics which distinguishthe way T&I are practised in Australia compared with overseas.

In addition to the professional translation and interpreting work in theabove-mentioned sectors, Australia also requires very highly skilled andexperienced translators and interpreters for diplomatic missions, tradedelegations, high-level negotiations and international conferences.

10

Standards Required in Australia

With the exception of Paraprofessional Translator, the whole range ofstandards is required in Australia due to the variety of work available.Hence there is a demand for practitioners at the follwing NAATI levels:

Paraprofessional InterpreterInterpreterConference Interpreter and Conference Interpreter (Senior)TranslatorAdvanced Translator and Advanced Translator (Senior)

The strongest demand in Australia is for practitioners accredited at thefirst professional level, namely Translator and Interpreter.

Overseas

On the international scene, where community translation andinterpreting is not well developed, translators and interpreters are oftenrequired to operate at a higher level and specialise in diplomatic andcommercial negotiations, as well as at international conferences.Conference interpreters often interpret in one language direction only.Practitioners are highly trained and/or experienced and carry outassignments predominantly within the business and diplomatic sectors.

Standards Required for Overseas

For translation and interpreting work overseas, the following NAATIstandards are the most frequently required:

Conference InterpreterConference Interpreter (Senior)Advanced TranslatorAdvanced Translator (Senior)

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13

Duty of Care

All providers of translation and interpreting services have a duty of careunder Common Law to exercise ‘reasonable care’ to avoid actions thatmight result in injury to others. One method of demonstrating a dutyof care is to provide translators and interpreters accredited by NAATI atthe level appropriate to the task at hand. If challenged under the Dutyof Care, you may need to justify your choice of the Translator/Interpreter.

Quality Assurance

The Need

In the interests of maintaining the viability of T&I service provision it isvery important to consider quality assurance methods. This isespecially important for the T&I professions, where errors can haveserious consequences, particularly in the areas of health and legalservices. An additional problem is that often employers and clients ofT&I services are not fully aware of the distinction between the value ofengaging people with bilingual skills and those who are professionallyqualified translators and interpreters. Furthermore, because of a lackof proper training opportunities, there are often insufficient incentivesfor skilled bilingual people to become professionally accredited asTranslators or Interpreters or for existing paraprofessional practitionersto upgrade their skills and level of accreditation.

Factors that must be borne in mind to ensure high quality T&I workinclude:

a. the necessity of using personnel who are professionallyqualified, that is, NAATI-accredited as translators orinterpreters and who are aware of the ethics of the profession.

b. the need for all participants to be well-versed in cross-culturalcommunication issues to ensure the effective use of translatorsand interpreters.

c. the need for clarification of the criteria for the selection of atranslator or interpreter for an assignment, which shouldinclude the minimum requirement of NAATI accreditation at theprofessional level (formerly Level 3).

d. improved professional recognition and higher remuneration fortranslators and interpreters.

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Verification of NAATI Credentials

To verify the qualifications of NAATI accredited practitioners oftranslation and interpreting, employers and clients should ask to seeone or more of the following:

a. a NAATI letter of accreditationb. a NAATI certificate of accreditationc. a NAATI ID Cardd. a NAATI Translators Stamp

Every NAATI accredited practitioner automatically receives a letter ofaccreditation which is on NAATI letterhead and carries the signature ofthe Executive Director, now known as the Chief Executive Officer. Thecertificates, ID cards and translator stamps are optional purchases ofthe accredited practitioner. Employers and clients should becomefamiliar with the appearance of these products in order to ascertain theauthenticity of accredited practitioners.

The NAATI I.D. Card

A NAATI ID Card is available to all NAATI accredited practitioners oftranslation and interpreting. It provides a photograph of thepractitioner, a NAATI number and all NAATI qualifications attained by theholder of the card. All accredited and/or Recognised Translators andInterpreters should carry a NAATI ID Card to all work assignments.Followinig is an example of a NAATI ID Card:

Pre-20 August 2001

Post 1 September 2001

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The NAATI Translator Stamp

The NAATI Translator Stamp containing the NAATI logo is available toaccredited Translators and is the best way of determining that the workhas been completed by a professional NAATI-accredited Translator. It isthe method by which Translators officially authorise their work, indicatetheir professional qualifications and supply confirmation of their work.Professional Translators should all be able to authorise their work withthe NAATI Translator Stamp. It is also available to ParaprofessionalTranslators in languages recently introduced to testing, which currentlyinclude Albanian, Amharic, Assyrian, Bangla, Bosnian, Burmese, Dari,Hindi, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Kurdish (Sorani), Punjabi, Pushto, Samoan,Sinhalese, Somali, Tamil, Tongan, and Urdu. The Translator Stampalways indicates the language combination in which the translator maywork.Following are examples of the NAATI Translator Stamp:

When engaging the services of a Translator, specify that you require thework to be signed off by the imprint of the NAATI Translator Stamp.

meansone way

TranslationEnglish

intoPersian

only

meansone way

TranslationIndonesian

intoEnglish

only

Translatorto sign

Translatorto sign

< > meanstwo way

TranslationGerman

intoEnglish

and Englishinto German

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Code of Ethics

Professional translators and interpreters are expected to adhere to theaccepted code of ethics. This code is fundamental to professionalpractice in Australia. It was developed by the Australian Institute ofInterpreters and Translators Inc (AUSIT) in consultation with NAATI.Knowledge and understanding of the code of ethics is a requirement ofthe NAATI accreditation process and for membership of AUSIT.

The general principles of the Australian Code of Ethics include:

a. Professional ConductInterpreters and translators shall at all times act in accordancewith the standards of conduct and decorum appropriate to theaims of AUSIT, the national professional association ofinterpreting and translation practitioners.

b. ConfidentialityInterpreters and translators shall not disclose informationacquired during the course of their assignments.

c. CompetenceInterpreters and translators shall undertake only work, whichthey are competent to perform in the language areas for whichthey are “accredited” or “recognised” by NAATI.

d. ImpartialityInterpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in allprofessional contracts.

e. AccuracyInterpreters and translators shall take all reasonable care to beaccurate.

g. EmploymentInterpreters and translators shall be responsible for the qualityof their work, whether as freelance practitioners or employedpractitioners of interpreting and translation agencies and otheremployers.

h. Professional DevelopmentInterpreters and translators shall continue to develop theirprofessional knowledge and skills.

i. Professional SolidarityInterpreters and translators shall respect and support theirfellow professionals.

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Further details about the Code of Ethics, including the Code of Practicecan be obtained from the Australian Institute of Interpreting andTranslation (AUSIT) at www.ausit.org

How Best to Work with Translators and Interpreters

Neither translation nor interpreting constitute a mere automatic andmechanical exercise. While practitioners are proficient in T&Itechniques, they cannot be expected to be specialists in all the areasupon which they will be called to perform. Therefore both translatorsand interpreters will require time to do research - a factor whichemployers and clients frequently and seriously underestimate!

Guide for Translation

a. Translators should be provided with background material wherepossible to enable them to extract necessary terminology andmatch the language register and the technical level of theirsource text with the target text.

b. In the interest of accuracy, it is important to allot sufficient timefor translation of a text. A good generalist translator can beexpected to translate non-specialised texts at the rate of 1,400words in a seven-hour day. With specialised material, the rateof translation will be reduced. An advanced translator workingin his/her area of specialisation can be expected to translate1,500 to 2,000 words in a seven-hour day or slightly more ifhighly experienced.

c. Where possible, clearly written texts should be provided fortranslation. Imprecise language can significantly slow down thetranslation process.

d. Translators should be given the name and number of a contactperson should a clarification be required.

e. Attention should be given to the quality of photocopies andfacsimiles sent to translators for obvious reasons.

Guide for Interpreting

In order to efficiently prepare themselves (e.g. with respect toterminology & cultural issues), interpreters need to be given thesubject matter and, where possible, be supplied with relevant literaturebefore the assignment.

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Interpreters should be given the opportunity to verify that appropriateseating arrangements are in place.

a. Simultaneous interpreters should be provided with thenecessary equipment.(eg. headphones, microphones, sound-proof interpreting booths).

b. Interpreting demands a high degree of concentration, thereforeregular break periods should be planned if an interpreter isexpected to remain efficient for a long interpreting session. Thisis especially important for interpreters working in Australian SignLanguage (Auslan).

c. The interpreter’s job will be greatly facilitated if thespokesperson chosen for a meeting expresses her/himselfclearly, articulately and slowly.

General Guidelines for Working with Interpreters inInterview Situations

Before the Consultation

a. Book the right interpreter for the right language and/or dialect.For example, Chinese could be Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese,Hokkien or Teo Chiew. In health related interviews try to booka female interpreter for a female patient and a male interpreterfor a male patient.

b. Always engage professionally qualified interpreters accredited byNAATI. Never use unqualified “interpreters” (i.e., domestics,friends, children or other relatives, etc.).

c. When appropriate, explain to interpreters, your office orbusiness settings and your role within it.

d. Plan the consultation with the interpreter, whenever possible.Brief the interpreter and give the reason for the consultation, itsobjectives and possible outcomes. The interpreter may be ableto advise on cultural attitudes which could influence themanagement of the problem.

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During the Consultation

a. Allow interpreters to introduce themselves and you (if you havenot already met) to the other client and to explain thatwhatever is said is confidential, the need for accuracy and theimportance of frequent pauses so that interpreters caninterpret.

b. Seating arrangements - to be triangular or circular wherefeasible, with participants at an equal distance from each other.

c. Eye contact - maintain eye contact with the clients (rather thanwith the interpreter) at all times, except with some Asian andAboriginal people where it is culturally inappropriate.

d. Speak directly to the clients (i.e., “How are you? instead of “Askhim how he is.”).

e. Use short speech segments (e.g. one or two short sentences)so that interpreters can remember and interpret themaccurately. If you speak for too long, thereby makingimpossible demands on interpreters’ memory, interpreters willinterrupt you. Expect interpreters to take notes.

f. Speak clearly, avoiding jargon, slang, idioms or proverbs.

g. Never ask interpreters for their opinion of the client or of his/her actions and discourage them from offering it. Interpretersmust be impartial.

h. Never ask interpreters to take a history or to pass onmessages in your absence or to find out what is the problemwith the client. Remember, the only function of an interpreter isto bridge the communication gap between two or more partieswho do not speak the same language. Accordingly, do notexpect the interpreter to convey any points of conversationwith the client which occurred in your absence.

Checklist for Working with Translators and Interpreters

Before seeking the services of translators and interpreters, employersand clients are advised to consider the following:

a. Have you engaged a translator or interpreter at the appropriatelevel of accreditation for the job at hand?

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b. Have you provided the translator or interpreter with the subjectmatter and relevant background material?

c. Have you given the translator or interpreter enough time forpreparation and/or have you allowed time for regular breaksduring a long interpreting session?

d. Have you arranged for the necessary equipment for theinterpreting session?

e. Have you understood the need to speak articulately and clearlyduring an interview?

f. Have you provided the translator with the name and number ofa person who is familiar with the document and capable ofanswering or clarifying any queries the translator may have?

g. Have you provided the translator with a clear copy of thesource text?

How to Locate Accredited Translators and Interpreters

Professional translators and interpreters are not difficult to find inmainstream languages. There are a number of sources for locatingsuch practitioners including:

a. The NAATI Directory of Accredited and Recognised Practitionersof Translation and Interpreting, which can be freely accessedon NAATI’s web site, at www.naati.com.au.

ThisDirectory contains details of NAATI Accredited andRecognised practitioners at the paraprofessional level andabove who wish to practise interpreting and/or translation. It isup-dated on a daily basis.

NAATI’s On-line Directory is the most comprehensive and up-to-date list of professional, accredited Translators andInterpreters in Australia. Included in the listing is each person’scontact details and their preferred T&I work area/s. Thisensures that you select the right person for the job the firsttime!

b. The complete NAATI national register of accredited andrecognised translators and interpreters is stored on NAATIcomputer systems, and can be accessed through direct inquiryto the NAATI Central Office in Canberra.

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Employers are advised to access this register to verifypractitioners’ qualifications. Since this is a complete register ofall individuals Accredited or Recognised by NAATI since 1977,many are no longer contactable nor available for work. Inaddition, new privacy laws within Australia prevent thepublishing of personal information without permission. It is forthese reasons that NAATI does not publish this register on thewebsite or in book format.

c. T&I services are available from the Commonwealth, State andTerritory government language services as listed in the YellowPages. Such services include the Translating and InterpretingService (TIS) of the Commonwealth Government and theState-based services often attached to the Multicultural AffairsCommissions or equivalent bodies.

d. Translation and interpreting agencies in the private sector arelisted in the Yellow Pages of each State and Territory telephonedirectory under “Interpreters” and “Translations”. Manypractising translators and interpreters also advertise theirservices in these sections of your telephone directory.

e. The professional T&I organisations also keep registers of theirmembers and can provide information on their professionals.The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT),the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)and the Western Australian Institute of Translators andInterpreters are all listed in the Yellow Pages.

Employers and clients should be cautioned that public and privateagencies do not always use accredited practitioners. Similarly self-employed practitioners may not always be accredited. Employersand clients should therefore always ask for the NAATI credentialsof the translator or interpreter carrying out the assignment.(Refer to Quality Assurances on page 13)

2001

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Further Information

Additional information about translation and interpreting in Australia isavailable through the following publications:

Ethics of Translation and Interpreting: A Guide to Professional Conductin Australia. NAATI, Canberra, 2001..Liaison Interpreting: A Handbook.Gentile, A, Ozolins, U, and Vasilakakos, M, Melbourne University Press,1996.

Interpreting and Translating in Australia. Current Issues andInternational Comparisons Melbourne.Ozolins, U., Language Australia 1998.

The first two publications are available through any NAATI office. Thethird publication is available through Language Australia.

2001

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NAATI State and Territory Offices

NAATI Hotline (Canberra Direct) 1300 557 470

Canberra (ACT)Suite 1, tel: (02) 6255 1888Playoust Building fax: (02) 6255 1889Hawker ACT 2614 email: info@naati.com.auPostal Address: PO Box 40, Hawker ACT 2614

Adelaide (SA)8th Floor tel: (08) 8410 5233170 North Terrace fax: (08) 8410 5235Adelaide SA 5000 email: adroff@naati.com.auPostal Address: PO Box 18, Rundle Mall SA 5000

Brisbane (QLD)Yungaba Centre tel: (07) 3393 1358120 Main Street fax: (07) 3393 0745Kangaroo Point QLD 4169 email: biroff@naati.com.auPostal Address: PO Box 8179, Woolloongabba QLD 4102

Darwin (NT)Ground Floor, Palm Court tel: (08) 8941 34058 Cavenagh Street fax: (08) 8985 5678Darwin NT 0800 email: daroff@naati.com.auPostal Address: GPO Box 418, Darwin NT 0801

Hobart (TAS)Room 2, Level 1,The McDougall Bld tel: (03) 6223 6534Repatriation Centre fax: (03) 6234 3199Ellerslie Road email: horoff@naati.com.auBattery Point TAS 7004Postal Address: PO Box 88, North Hobart TAS 7000

Melbourne (VIC)Suite 14, Level 1 Lonsdale Court tel: (03) 9642 3301600 Lonsdale St fax: (03) 9642 3303Melbourne VIC 3000 email: meroff@naati.com.au

Perth (WA)Suite 50 tel: (08) 9472 3588328 Albany Highway fax: (08) 9472 5433Victoria Park WA 6100 email: peroff@naati.com.auPostal Address: PO Box 75, West Perth WA 6872

Sydney (NSW)Suite 1, Level 5 tel: (02) 9267 1357280-282 Pitt Street fax: (02) 9267 4720Sydney NSW 2000 email: syroff@naati.com.auPostal Address: GPO Box A161, Sydney South NSW 1235

©

Copyright 2003