Interpreter’s Role and Interpreter’s Role and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Mrs. Grace Villalba Mrs. Grace Villalba School InterpreterSchool Interpreter

Montclair Elementary Montclair Elementary SchoolSchool

Ms. Kathy L. Wells, PrincipalMs. Kathy L. Wells, PrincipalA Premier DeKalb County SchoolA Premier DeKalb County SchoolPowerPoint Presentation Created by Ms. Sophia Lindo

Bridging the Language GapBridging the Language Gap

Title III and Title VITitle III and Title VI

School districts were directed to take steps to School districts were directed to take steps to help limited-English proficient students help limited-English proficient students overcome language barriers and to ensure that overcome language barriers and to ensure that they can participate meaningfully in the district’s they can participate meaningfully in the district’s educational programseducational programsStates that persons of Limited English States that persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are not discriminatorily denied Proficiency (LEP) are not discriminatorily denied equal access to or an equal opportunity to equal access to or an equal opportunity to benefit from health and social services programs benefit from health and social services programs on the basis of national originon the basis of national origin. .

Interpreters must be provided

Overall Role of Interpreter:Overall Role of Interpreter:

The basic purpose of the interpreter is to The basic purpose of the interpreter is to facilitate understanding in communication facilitate understanding in communication between people who are speaking different between people who are speaking different languageslanguagesPlease note differences:Please note differences:

Interpreter – spoken wordsInterpreter – spoken wordsTranslator – written wordsTranslator – written words

Specific Role of the InterpreterSpecific Role of the Interpreter

ADVOCATE

CULTURE BROKER

CLARIFIER

CONDUIT

ConduitConduit

This is the “default” role of the This is the “default” role of the interpreter which is to adopt unless interpreter which is to adopt unless he/she perceives a clear potential for he/she perceives a clear potential for misunderstandingmisunderstanding

Interpret everything that is said, exactly as it is said: add nothing,

omit nothing, change nothing

ClarifierClarifier

In this role, the interpreter adjusts, registers, makes word In this role, the interpreter adjusts, registers, makes word pictures of terms that have no linguistic equivalent (or pictures of terms that have no linguistic equivalent (or whose linguistic equivalent will not be understood by the whose linguistic equivalent will not be understood by the parent/student) and checks for understanding.parent/student) and checks for understanding.

Interpret what is said faithfully but in such a way that the

listener can understand; check for understanding

Interpreter Pre-SessionInterpreter Pre-Session1)1) I will be speaking in 1I will be speaking in 1stst person person2)2) Pause often so that I can interpret Pause often so that I can interpret

accuratelyaccurately3)3) Everything will remain confidentialEverything will remain confidential4)4) Every word spoken will be interpretedEvery word spoken will be interpreted5)5) Speak directly to the staff/parentSpeak directly to the staff/parent6)6) Stop me if you have any questionsStop me if you have any questions

Protocol of ServicesProtocol of ServicesEmail request is preferred for :Email request is preferred for :

Phone callsPhone calls Please include Please include

• Student’s Name Student’s Name • Parent’s Name Parent’s Name • Phone Numbers and Phone Numbers and • Purpose of CallPurpose of Call For example: For example: Behavior Issues, No Homework, Behavior Issues, No Homework, No Class work, and/or Attendance, etc.No Class work, and/or Attendance, etc.

***Reminder: Emails also serve as documentation for staff between school and home

ConferencesConferences

Please include date and time with request with at least 1 – 2 days notice of scheduled meeting to verify availability Unscheduled meetings should be notified to interpreter either in person or via phone call

TranslationsTranslations

Please email file and give atleast 24-48 hours notice,

depending on size of material and/or deadline

Please refrain from using internet translations. They often convey the

message inappropriately

For after hour interpretations and/or For after hour interpretations and/or additional interpreters:additional interpreters:

Please contact administrative team to authorize and make

request to the International Center

Contact InformationContact InformationMONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLMONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EMAIL:EMAIL: Grace_Villalba@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.usGrace_Villalba@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

PHONE EXTENSION:PHONE EXTENSION: 4733347333

We are all part of Montclair’s Team! We are all part of Montclair’s Team!

Never doubt that a small group of Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.only thing that ever has.

Margaret MeadMargaret Mead