dimanche 8 février 2015

By Beryl Dalton


With improved transport and communication systems around the world, it's easier than ever to be in contact with people from almost any country. Sometimes the only barrier is language. This is particularly true if you're dealing with people from Latin America, where English is hardly ever spoken. However, with a good Spanish interpreting service even the language barrier can be broken down.

In the USA, you may even need to communicate in Spanish with Americans. The country's large Hispanic population means that there are now more people with Spanish as their first language than there are in Spain. There are entire neighborhoods in cities like Miami FL where you won't even get by with English only and will need an interpreter if you're not bilingual.

An interpreter is not the same as a translator. A translator changes a text from one language to another, using resources such as dictionaries to provide a detailed translation. An interpreter doesn't have the time to consult dictionaries but needs to change the text into the target language immediately. Instead of providing a faithful translation, he or she focuses on the ideas or concepts to convey.

Interpreters are often employed by government services such as courts or immigration offices, especially in cities where there is a significant population of Hispanic descent. However, the private sector in these cities also needs interpreters. For example, hospitals may need someone to help the doctor and patient to communicate. Businesses may have to communicate not only with immigrant clients but also with trade partners in Latin American nations.

When choosing an interpreter, you need to know that the person is qualified for the job. You may want someone who has professional certification, especially if you need a court or medical interpreter. However, many highly competent interpreters don't have formal certificates. Their experience and recommendations from clients should be enough to tell you whether or not they will be able to provide a good service.

There are different kinds of interpreting and you need to choose someone with the relevant skills for your purposes. For business, the interpreter should know the jargon, for example marketing terms. For a conference, you need someone who can get up in front of a large crowd and isn't afraid of public speaking, or who has experience working with the technology that you use. When you have a visiting delegation, you need someone who has a friendly disposition and can accompany your guests wherever they go.

It's a good idea to match the interpreter's own cultural background with that of the people you need to communicate with. Spanish has many different dialects and someone from El Salvador may not easily understand the accent of someone from Argentina, for instance. If you're dealing with people from Cuba, an interpreter who has a Cuban background will also understand the aspects unique to that country.

The Yellow Pages or other local listings are good places to start when looking for interpreters. Many agencies also have websites. Otherwise, contact a professional association for advice and recommendations. In Florida, the organization to contact is ATIF, the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida.




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