Contact us at
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Sydney Office
Level 8
175 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000P.O. Box A2618
Sydney South NSW 1235Tel: (02) 8255 6767
FAX: (02) 8255 6868
TTY: (02) 8255 6758 -
Interpreting & Translation
Tel: 1300 651 500
Fax: (02) 8255 6711
TTY: (02) 8255 6758 -
Newcastle Office
Ground Floor
Government Office Block
117 Bull Street
Newcastle NSW 2300Tel: (02) 4929 4191
Fax: (02) 4929 7369 -
Wollongong Office
Ground Floor, Block D
State Office Block
84 Crown Street
Wollongong NSW 2500PO Box 363
Wollongong NSW 2520Tel: (02) 4224 9922
FAX: (02) 4224 9933
Fact Sheet 3
Requesting and Working with Interpreters: Why you should use professional Interpreters
Role of the Interpreter
The role of an interpreter is to provide a clear channel of communication between the service provider and an individual. The interpreter is not to add or subtract to the communication, but only interpret what has been said.
All CRC interpreters are NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) accredited (in the languages where accreditation exists). NAATI accreditation is the qualification officially accepted for the professions of Interpreting and Translation in Australia . This also means they are bound by strict “CRC Code of Ethics for Interpreters and Translators” and also by NSW Public Sector Code of Conduct which ensure a high level of integrity and professionalism. All our Interpreters are employed under award condition and are covered for worker’s compensation and superannuation.
The Interpreter will maintain confidentiality and not disclose information acquired in the course of an assignment. However it is important that the service provider stress the importance of confidentiality at the beginning of the interview.
It is not recommended to use a family member or a neighbour as an interpreter.
It should always be remembered that the interpreter is not an advocate or a counsellor and should not be asked to provide advice, or an opinion or any other assistance, beyond an interpretation of the interview between the person and the service provider.
Dialogue interpreting involves interpretation of conversations and interviews between two or more people. The interpreter listens first to short segments before interpreting them. The interpreter may take notes.
Consecutive interpreting is when the interpreter listens to larger segments, taking notes while listening, and then interprets while the speaker pauses.
Simultaneous interpreting is the technique of interpreting into the target language while listening to the source language i.e. speaking while listening to the ongoing statement. (In settings such as business negotiations and court cases, whispered simultaneous interpreting is practised to keep one party informed of the proceedings).
Sign Language (Auslan) interpreting is a form of simultaneous interpreting between deaf and hearing people. It involves signing while listening to the source language or speaking while reading signs.
Sight translation involves transferring the meaning of the written text by oral delivery (reading in one language, relaying message orally in another language). An Interpreter may be asked to provide sight translation of short documents.
It is essential for service providers to be well acquainted with the role of interpreters and be skilful in the use of interpreters in order to ensure that a sensitive, thorough and professional service is provided.
The Interpreter’s role is not to conduct the session
The CRC has feedback mechanisms and complaints handling policyand procedures in place to help ensure that our professional interpreters deliver a quality service.
Clients are encouraged to provide feedback in the Interpreters Record Book (IRB) or conveyed directly to the CRC Customer Service Manager on (02) 8255 6736 or via email languageservices@crc.nsw.gov.au attention Customer Service Manager.