WORKING WITH AN INTERPRETER

Purpose of the Pre-Interview Session

• Brief the interpreter about the case.
• Establish the objectives for the interview.
• Obtain cultural information about FDV from the interpreter.
• Establish the mode of interpreting ie simultaneous or consecutive.

In the Interview

• Introduce everyone and establish roles.
• Arrange seating to facilitate communication between yourself and the client.
• Establish ground rules about speaking through the interpreter to the client.
• Maintain eye contact with the client if culturally appropriate.
• Speak directly to the client.
• Speak slowly and clearly but naturally, avoiding jargon.
• If your control of the interview slips, stop the interview straight away and re-state the ground rules and the roles.
• Summarise your discussion periodically throughout the interview to ensure that you and the client share the same understanding of what is being said.
• If using consecutive interpreting use short sentences.

Purpose of the Post-Interview Session

• De-brief the interpreter.
• Give the interpreter the opportunity to vent any feelings that may have come up for them in the interview.

(Taken from Counselling With Interpreters. Sexual Assault Interviews. Health Media. NSW.)

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Last Updated: Friday, 20 March 1998 10:28