The blog discusses the conditions in which interpreters perform their work. When the working conditions for interpreters are optimal, it not only improves the quality of interpretation but also enables the linguistic equality to be achieved.
Linguistic equality refers to the principle that all languages and their speakers have equal rights and opportunities. This includes the right for people to use their native language for example in official situations. Working conditions are a combination of factors that affect everyday working life, such as the working environment and well-being at work, which in turn has a significant impact on job satisfaction and the quality of work.
The impact of interpreters’ working conditions on interpretation situations is significant for all parties involved, especially in remote interpretation scenarios. It is important for interpreters to consider the environment in which they work, as background noises unrelated to the situation can affect the client’s perception of the quality of the interpretation.
Communication between the customer and the interpreter suffers if the interpreter is unable to work in a quiet environment. It is important to pay attention to working conditions, in order to maintain a consistent quality of interpreting and ensure the best possible experience for all parties involved.
Work environment
What does the Code of Ethics for interpreters say?
All Youpret interpreters follow the Code of Ethics for interpreters, which includes, among other things, the obligation of confidentiality. Confidentiality cannot be maintained if the interpreter works in an environment where people outside the situation can hear the conversation between the customer and the interpreter. To avoid such situations, a quiet, enclosed workspace is mandatory.
The interpreter must ensure that they are in an appropriate environment when interpreting. Background noises, such as traffic sounds or family members’ voices, should not be heard, as they can cause disruptions to the interpretation situation.
What to consider in the working environment?
When considering the work environment, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with the interpreter’s characteristics, needs and activities. This way, environmental factors become resources rather than stressors (person-environment fit, or PE fit). PE fit refers to the psychological concept that examines how well an individual’s characteristics match the demands and expectations of their work or living environment.
This degree of adaptation can significantly impact a person’s job satisfaction, performance and well-being. PE fit is divided into two main categories, one of which is person-job fit. Person-job fit refers to how well an individual’s abilities, skills and interests align with the requirements of their job. A good person-job fit can lead to better performance and job satisfaction.
The other main category is person-organization fit, which focuses on the alignment between an individual’s values, norms and the organizational culture. Employee turnover can decrease and commitment can increase when a person's values and the workplace culture are compatible.
Benefits of a good working environment
A suitable working environment not only improves the quality of work, it also has health benefits. An unsuitable work environment can be a stressor for the employee. A poor work environment affects well-being and work quality both in the short and long term. For example, in the short term, a lack of concentration can lead to increased errors at work. On the other hand, the employee’s enjoyment of the work can bring numerous long-term effects. You can read more about a health-promoting work environment in this blog by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
In the context of interpretation, a calm and comfortable working environment gives the interpreter the best possible opportunity to concentrate on interpreting without distractions. The right kind of workplace enhances the interpreter’s work efficiency and quality. Learn more about creating an ideal remote workspace and its benefits here.
In addition to the physical working environment, the mental working environment also has an impact. The mental working environment is influenced by how the tasks are designed and organized, social relationships, the significance of the work and the content of the work. These factors can individually affect the mental working environment if they are not properly addressed. A poor mental working environment can cause stress and other health issues.
Make sure the technology works
In addition to the working environment, the interpreter should take into account the functionality of the technology. This includes ensuring a stable phone signal and maintaining the appropriate distance from the phone while speaking to keep the audio connection stable.
You can achieve the proper distance from the phone by placing it on a flat surface, such as a table. To bring the phone closer, you can stack a few books on the table and place the phone on top of them.
It is also important to pay attention to the battery levels of your devices. In a long interpretation session, the batteries of your phone or headphones may run out. Before starting the interpretation, make sure that the devices you use have enough battery power or that they can be charged during the interpreting session.
When the technology is functioning well, the interpreter does not have to stress about losing connection or running out of battery during the interpretation. This allows the interpreter to focus on their work, improving the quality and accuracy of the interpretation. By minimizing technical challenges, the interpreter can concentrate on the nuances of communication, which is crucial for a successful interpretation.
Interpreter Well-being
An important part of working conditions is well-being. When an interpreter’s physical and mental well-being is in good shape, they can work more effectively and be fully present during interpretation sessions. The work of an interpreter can sometimes be demanding, as some interpretations deal with very sensitive and difficult topics. Therefore, it is crucial for interpreters to take care of their health and stamina to perform well in their work.
In cases of mental overload, talking with other interpreters can be helpful. Building a network with other interpreters creates a sense of community and supports well-being. This can be especially important for some interpreters, as most work as freelancers, and some may miss having their own work community.
Continuous professional development, for example through the Youpret Academy learning platform, contributes to well-being at work. Additionally, mental alertness and concentration can be improved with break time exercise and short walks.
Exercise is an effective tool for reducing stress symptoms and improving mental health. Psychological symptoms can decrease in correlation with how physically active an employee is. Engaging in physical activity increases the levels of neurotransmitters that promote well-being, helping to break the cycle of negative thoughts. Stress symptoms that exercise can help reduce include difficulty falling asleep, concentration and memory problems, and mood swings.
You can read more about interpreter well-being and its different dimensions on this blog.
How to ensure the best interpretation conditions as a customer
Before the interpretation
Customers can contribute to the interpreter’s working conditions by providing advance information about the upcoming interpretation session. This allows the interpreter to properly prepare by familiarizing themselves with the required vocabulary, terminology and roles of the interpretation. Thorough preparation by the interpreter is part of Youpret’s ethical guidelines and ensures a successful experience for the customer.
If the customer knows that there will be multiple people requiring interpretation, it would be beneficial to consider a video connection. This helps the interpreter to keep track of who is speaking at any given time. When booking interpretation, it is important to keep in mind that the interpretation sessions typically take twice as long as normal conversations. Therefore, it is advisable to schedule more time than might seem necessary to ensure the session can be completed without rush.
During the interpretation
At the beginning of an interpretation session, it is important to introduce yourself and indicate who will be interpreted, such as specifying if it is a child or an old person, and how many individuals will be interpreted. This is especially important in remote interpretation situations. Afterward, the interpreter should introduce themselves and inform the participants about their confidentiality obligations and impartiality. These steps provide the interpreter with a better understanding of the situation and enhance the trust of the person being interpreted.
When speaking directly to the person being interpreted rather than to the interpreter, the message is delivered more naturally, as the interpreter always translates in the first person. The rhythm of speech is also important. Customers should pay attention to the length of speeches, as speeches of a reasonable length make it easier for the interpreter to work and deliver the message accurately. If the customer speaks to a colleague, it is helpful to clarify this to the interpreter so they do not unnecessarily interpret what they are saying.
In a situation where there is a break or the interpreter is no longer needed, remember to inform the interpreter that the interpreter will be free for their next assignment. In the case of on-site interpretations, it is also important to consider the interpreter’s positioning in the room, including the escape route and safety measures, in case a dangerous situation arises during the interpretation.
Creating suitable conditions for interpretation
In this blog we discussed the working conditions in which the interpreters perform their work. Working conditions consist of factors that affect daily work, such as the work environment and well-being at work. Both of these have a significant impact on the interpreter’s work and its outcome.
Keep these points in mind regarding the interpretation circumstances:
- Quiet and enclosed workspace
- Check the functionality of the technology
- Take breaks during the workday
- Take care of your well-being
- Customers should provide relevant details about the upcoming interpretation
- Introduce yourself at the beginning of interpretation
- Speak directly to the person being interpreted
- Keep the length of speeches reasonable to make it easier for the interpreter to deliver the messages accurately
Author: Jarkko Karjalainen
Jarkko works at Youpret as a marketing intern and studies international business at Karelia University of Applied Sciences. At Youpret, Jarkko's tasks focus on events, various content creation and producing social media content. In his free time, Jarkko often spends his free time playing football and other sports.