Interpreter

Interpreters convert speech from one language into another. They may work remotely, or in person. They could work for a variety of organisations, both private and public, as well as independently.

What is an Interpreter?

As an interpreter, it’s your role to ensure everyone within a group meeting or conversation is understood. There are three main formats for interpretation: simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and whispered interpretation. Simultaneous interpreters translate language as it happens, usually as conference interpreters where there is a significant speaker that multiple multilingual listeners are engaging with. Your translated speech passes directly into the ears of listeners via a headset.

• Build up a good vocabulary around your interpretation topics, such as business vocabulary.
• Have an awareness of relevant legal information, if you are acting as a legal interpreter, interpreting for a public service such as court hearings.

A consecutive interpreter is usually used for short speeches. You’ll listen to a block of speech or writing and then interpret it after it's completed.

A degree is not an absolute necessity for interpretation work.

Finally, whispered interpretation involves sitting with an individual or small group and directly translating for them live. You could also take on sign language interpretation and apply for sign language jobs, translating spoken language into signs, or working between two different sign languages.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of an interpreter depend on the mode of interpretation, as well as the setting they work in. There are some common duties, including:

• Accurately translating speech mentally before sharing this with participants, usually in real-time.
• Being familiar with colloquialisms and jargon in different languages, and finding an appropriate translation where there isn’t a direct word match for your client.
• Build up a good vocabulary around your interpretation topics, such as business vocabulary.
• Conduct research on the topics of conversation and any particular needs of your client.
• Have an awareness of relevant legal information, if you are acting as a legal interpreter, interpreting for public service such as court hearings.
• Listening to a speaker’s points.
• Make detailed reports where necessary, such as speech summaries.
• Use relevant equipment, like microphones and headsets.

Salary

An interpreter’s salary is highly dependent on the kind of interpretation work they’re in. Work is often ad-hoc, so many interpreters work on a freelance basis. The rate they charge will depend on how in-demand their languages are as well as their overall experience in the sector.

The average UK interpreter salary for freelance roles sits around £14.58 per hour. It can, however, range to £25 per hour depending on the company or client you work for.

Your degree will provide you with the initial skills you need to be an effective interpreter.

The average salary for an employed interpreter is around £41,000, but this is highly dependent on location and client format.

Qualifications

A degree is not an absolute necessity for interpretation work. However, if you are aiming to work within larger businesses or abroad, you’ll usually be expected to be a graduate. Many people go down the language study route, taking a degree in their chosen eventual language of interpretation, such as being a Polish interpreter or French interpreter. You can also study towards a set degree in linguistics or interpretation to bolster your skill set. For this, you’ll need to have a minimum of 2 to 3 A Levels, ideally with one or more in a modern foreign language. This could be in subjects such as:

• Interpretation
• Linguistics
• Translation

Some interpretation jobs also require postgraduate study. This is especially true for more complex interpreting jobs, such as consecutive interpretation at large-scale conferences. Examples include:

• Advanced Interpretation
• Public Service Interpreting

Some interpreters also like to take on translation work, incorporating spoken and written language. If you’d like to do this, you could take the Level 7 Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) from the Chartered Institute of Linguists. This gives you the right to add DipTrans to your name and adds a further level of credibility to your work.

You could also decide to study for a Level 3 Community Interpreter Course. While community interpreting courses may not be enough to enter the profession at higher levels, they could be a stepping stone to private interpretation work, and prepare you well for other interpretation courses.

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter jobs are also a popular option. To qualify for these roles, you’ll need a Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting.

Training and development

Your degree will provide you with the initial skills you need to be an effective interpreter. However, much of what you learn practically will happen on the job. This is particularly true when building vocabulary banks of particular areas of work and business. Shadowing senior interpreters will give you a good understanding of what your work will entail while developing the grasp of your languages.

Work experience is really valuable when applying for interpretation jobs.

Many interpreters choose to take on further development and training through accredited interpretation bodies. These include:

• The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
• National Registers of Communication Professionals Working With Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)
• The National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI)

You can take part in conferences, accreditation courses and seminars, and you’ll also be able to keep up to date with progression in your particular industry.

Skills

Your skills as an interpreter combine an excellent grasp of language with high-level communication abilities. These include:

• A good knowledge of the area you work in, whether that be business, education, or public service.
• Being an excellent listener, being able to carefully analyse speech, often in real time, and translate accordingly.
• Being fluent in at least two languages.
• Good concentration skills - interpretation requires a lot of brain power, so you’ll need to be able to focus intensely for long periods of time without losing track of what is being said by your clients.
• Good written command of your languages, as you may need to file reports for clients.
• Great customer service skills - you’ll be working with a variety of clients and industries, and your listeners will be paying close attention to everything you say.
• Sensitivity to individual needs - this is particularly true if you’re working in public service and translating potentially sensitive information, such as immigration details.
• The ability to pick up new technologies quickly, such as translation software, recording devices and audio devices.
• The ability to quickly switch between different languages without losing track of conversation.

Work Experience

Work experience is really valuable when applying for interpretation jobs. If you’re studying, it’s a good idea to reach out to your course leaders to see if there are any organisations that would offer shadowing opportunities for trainee interpreters.

As an interpreter, it’s your role to ensure everyone within a group meeting or conversation is understood.

Alongside connections within your course, there are a variety of other ways to gain that all-important experience. Some local councils and non-governmental organisations offer internships or volunteering opportunities to support their services, so it’s well worth reaching out to find out what is available. If you aren’t quite ready to volunteer and act as an interpreter, asking whether you can shadow is a great idea, especially if there are volunteer opportunities available, as you could eventually progress into one of these positions.

Career Prospects

We live in an increasingly globalised world, so interpretation services are growing in demand. You could start by working for a large interpretation agency, and build up to a more senior position. You could also specialise within a particular area of interpretation, such as working with public services. The National Register of Public Service Interpreters offers formal qualifications in this form of interpretation, so you might take this route.

Many interpreters choose to go down the freelance interpreter route, starting their own business and choosing their own hours. This requires regular networking, self-marketing and pitching to roles like freelance police interpreter jobs, but can mean a fantastic work/life balance. You could even move abroad or work with international clients, such as being an interpreter in middle eastern countries.