CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
The professional interpreter interprets between two languages in such a
way that effective communication takes place between the participating
language speakers. The interpreter interprets one-way (for example from French
into English during presentations and lectures) or two-way (for example during
meetings,

discussions

and

consultations).

The

interpreter

interprets

consecutively, for example in chunks, or simultaneously at the same time as the

language is spoken. Most interpreters are bilingual and interpret between two
languages but some conference interpreters interpret one-way from two or more
languages into their first language.
The professional interpreters have full command of the spoken languages
in which they interprets. The interpreter reflects accurately the information and
ideas, cultural context and intention of the speaker.

While the interpreter

essentially interprets spoken language, he may also support the interpreting

assignment by producing a sight or written translation of written documents,
such as correspondence or a medical case study.
The professional interpreter is impartial.

While he promotes effective

communication and clarifies language and cultural misunderstandings where

appropriate, he does not act as an advocate for clients. The interpreter treats
information exchanged during an interpreted session as confidential and has
good knowledge of subject areas, for example health, business or law.

He

declines to take on work if it is outside his professional expertise. He engages

regularly in continuous professional development. He adheres to the common
code of conduct, as stipulated by the organisation with which he is registered as
a professional interpreter.
The role of an interpreter goes much further than simply converting one
language into another. The role of an interpreter is to bridge the gap between
cultures to create a mutual understanding of facts and what is being
communicated between two parties. An interpreter must understand much more
just a

second

language.

An

interpreter

must understand

the

cultural,

economical, and political differences between two cultures in order to create

seamless communication between individuals from vastly different cultures.

CHAPTER 2
THE ROLES OF AN INTERPRETER
The basic purpose of the interpreter is to facilitate understanding in
communication between people who are speaking different languages. Servin
(2007) states that interpreters need to takes on four principle roles which are
conduit, clarifier, cultural broker, and advocate.
1. Being A Conduit
The most basic role of the interpreter is that of the Conduit, whose rule is
to: Interpret everything that is said, exactly as it is said: add nothing, omit
nothing, and change nothing. The least evasive role.

Being a conduit

involves rendering in one language exactly what has been said in another
language. Interpret everything that is said, exactly as it is said: add
nothing, omit nothing, and change nothing.
How to be a god conduit?
a. Use the first person. If the patient says My stomach hurts. The
interpreter says My stomach hurts.
b. Interpreting in the first person reinforces the primary relationships.
c. Interpreting in the first person helps the interpreter focus on
repeating exactly what is said.
d. Interpreting in the first person shortens the communication and
avoids confusion as to who is speaking.
e. Interpret pauses, ums, sighs, everything or anything that adds
f.

meaning to the communication.

Interpreter gives an accurate

interpretation

not

literal

interpretation.
g. Interpreter also reflects tone, inflection and volume. Include all the
information that carries meaning in the message.
2. Being A Clarifier
The interpreter takes this role when he or she believes it necessary to
facilitate understanding.

In this role the interpreter adjusts register,

makes word pictures of terms that have no linguistic equivalent and

checks for understanding.

The clarifier may have to change the form of the message significantly in

order to be faithful to the meaning of the message. This includes:

Lowering the register: Register refers to the level of formal or
complex language a person chooses to use. High register speech is very
formal and complex.

Low register is used in everyday speech.

If the

provider uses high register the interpreter could:

use high register if he/she thinks the patient will understand
lower the register but not change the meaning, the meaning must

stay the same

ask the provider to speak in simpler language
Create Word pictures: Sometimes there are no words with the same

meaning.
Symbolic meaning: Symbols have meaning in only one language.
Check for comprehension: Be aware of clues that suggest that either
the patient or provider does not understand. The interpreter would like to
ask if the patient understood.

If the patient is really confused the

interpreter should communicate this to the provider so that the provider

can explain, not the interpreter.
3. Cultural Broker
In this role, the interpreter provides a necessary cultural framework for
understanding the message being interpreted. The interpreter takes this
role when cultural differences are leading to a misunderstanding on the
part of either provider or patient. People who speak different languages
live in different worlds, not the same world with different labels. Edward
Sapir, Noted Linguist.
Culture is a shared set of belief systems, values, practices and
assumptions which determine how we interact with and interpret the
world. Culturally competent means that we must educate ourselves
further about other cultures, the role culture plays in health care and the
differences these can generate in the health care setting.

WE need to

learn specific information about a community and simultaneously treat

each person as a unique individual.
We must understand basic cultural frameworks and point out that there
are many differences between individuals who come from the same
community. We run the risk of stereotyping if we do not maintain this
delicate balance.
How to be a Cultural Broker?

1.

Be aware that a culture-based misunderstanding may be occurring.

Interpreter should intervene in a transparent way, letting the patient
know what he/she is going to do, then offer key information to provider.

The goal is to get back to interpreting as fast as possible.

2. Be alert to potential cultural barriers
3. Make sure you are: respectful, make no assumptions, not creating or
reinforcing stereotypes, get back to interpreting.
4. The Role of Advocate
Advocacy is the most controversial of the interpreter roles. Guidelines
must be established to help interpreters know when they are advocating
appropriately and when they are invading the patient/provider prerogative.
Interpreter must be taught skills necessary to advocate well so as to
increase trust rather than undermine it.
There are times when advocacy is not appropriate. These include:

when the contested decision is based on medical expertise, and

there does not appear to be a misunderstanding or oversight

when the patient does not want to continue

when the patient needs a service not provided for by anybody else

when the request is of primary benefit to the interpreter and not the
patient

when advocacy would involve breaking confidentiality

Advocacy is any action an interpreter takes on behalf of the patient

outside the bounds of an interpreted interview and also support patient by
ensuring they have knowledge and get care they need. The advocate is
concerned with quality of care in addition to quality of communication.
Interpreters appropriately become advocates when the needs of the
patient are not being met due to a systemic barrier such as the complexity
of the health care system or racism. Advocacy most often takes the form
of giving information or connecting the patient to other clinic staff whose
job it is to resolve the patients problem.
Witter-Merithew in Roy (1993) determined that there have been
basically four descriptions to exemplify what interpreter do.
1. Interpreters as helpers
Helpers were free to offer advice, translate message between deaf and
hearing persons, and make decision for one or both sides.
2. Professionalism and the emergence of the conduit description

This conduit description allowed interpreters to deny responsibility for

any consequences of an interpreting event of and led to unsuccessful
interpreting

events

and

unflattering

perception

by

consumers.

Interpreters began to search for a clarifying, less radical description of

their role.
3. Interpreters as communication-facilitator
Ingram in Roy (2000) stated the interpreter is inserted as a channel
which facilitates the transfer of messages from a sender to a receiver
when they do not speak the same language. So, the interpreter works
as facilitator that are connecting the speaker and the listener who are
speak in different language.
4. Interpreters as bilingual, bicultural specialists
Interpreters must be sensitive to the fact that they are communicating
across cultures as well as across languages. Cokely in Roy (2000)
noted: It is obvious that before an individual can interpret between
two languages/ cultures s/he must be bilingual and bicultural.

CHAPTER 3
CONCLUSION
For conclusion, there are four roles of an interpreter; conduit,
clarifier, cultural broker, and advocate:
1. Conduit: This is the most basic interpreter role (default role). The
interpreter conveys in one language literally what has been said by
the other, without additions, missions, editing or polishing.
2. Culture Broker: The interpreter provides a necessary cultural
framework for understanding the message being interpreted.
3. Clarifier: The interpreter explains or makes word pictures of terms
that have no linguistic equivalent (or whose linguistic equivalent will
not be understood by the LEP individual) and checks for
understanding.
4. Advocate: the interpreter that support the patient to get care and
services they need.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Roy, Cynthia B. 1993. The Problem with Definition, Descriptions, and the Role
Metaphors of Interpreters, Journal of Interpretation 6 (1): 127-54.
Servin, Maria. 2007. Community Ambassador Program Culture and Language
Training. California: Thrive.
ASLI. The Role of Interpreter . asli.org.uk. 2014 Web. 16 Feb 15.
Think Cultural Health. Working with An Interpreter.
ThinkCulturalHealth.hhs.gov. 28 April 11 Web. 16 Feb 15