Team Interpreting: Preparing for Success

Team interpreting refers to interpreting situations where two or more interpreters are working together with the goal of creating ONE interpretation, capitalizing on each other's strengths, and supporting each other for consistency and success.

A foundational premise in team interpreting is that all team members are responsible for the success or failure of the work. This is an important aspect when building team practices, in that it forms the foundation for sharing preparation work, supporting each in producing a cohesive interpretation, and managing any problems that may arise during the work. Let's look at some things that may enhance the experience of teaming.

Pre-Assignment Preparation:

When asking interpreters about their most successful team interpreting experiences, it would appear that they operate from the norm that "anything is talkable". This may be a new notion for those who view teaming preparation sessions to involve only a discussion of how long each person will interpret and how much they are billing.

Some of the following topics may be reviewed prior to an assignment, others may be discussed at an agreed upon time after the assignment. When working with colleagues that you have little experience with, it may take more time to hold these discussions, but inevitably, the time will be worth it! When preparing with colleagues that you frequently work with, the time factor will be less, but it is still important to check in with each other on many of these issues.

1. Can you describe your interpreting process and style, including your:
   • interpreting model bilingual/bicultural, machine, helper, facilitator)
   • processing or lag time
   • interpreting strengths and what you may need help with
   • audience assessment (language preferences, pre-knowledge of consumers)
   • how and when to offer feeds that are effective for you (words, chunks, phrases, sentences) and whether to feed in ASL or English
   • dominant ear or eye issues
   • what decision making process you use when determining whether or not to use a feed
   • preferences for physical touch and distance
2. What signals will you use for the assignment? Who will stop the speaker/signer, and how, if necessary? How will we signal the deaf consumer to let them know we have switched voice interpreters? Who will check with consumers about whether the signals are suitable for them? What signals will each interpreter use to request a feed?
3. When will turn-taking occur? How will we switch? How will we signal each other if we want the team member to take over prior to the agreed-upon time frame? If working within larger teams (e.g.: multiple services - LSQ/ASL/Oral), can the switches be coordinated? What signal will work well in the setting? Who will be responsible for timekeeping?
4. Who will begin interpreting and who will begin monitoring the work, and why?
5. Feedback: Do you want encouragement during the assignment? Dow you want feedback during the interpretation? Is there something that you are working that you would like me to note during the interpretation? Will it distract you if I take notes? When monitoring the interpretation for completeness and accuracy, what features do you tend for look for, and why?
6. What preparation work needs to occur with consumers? Will the preparation tasks be shared or taken on by one interpreter?
7. What strategies will be used to deal with conflict? When will we debrief after the assignment?
8. Other issues: clothing/travel/parking/safe walks/meal breaks, etc.

Pre-conference between interpreters and consumers

The following may guide your discussions:

1. How will introductions be made? Is there a need to explain the use of simultaneous/consecutive interpreting within the assignment? If we plan to use notes with each other, how should this be explained to consumers?
2. What is the topic/purpose of the interpreted interaction? What are the central messages you hope to leave with the audience? Specific lexical items/jokes/visual aides/ prep materials for interpreters? If using audiovisuals, how will lighting be handled?
3. How should the interpreters signal you when we need to interrupt you, need time to complete the interpretation, or need to switch interpreters?
4. Does the person(s) you are meeting with know how to use interpreting services? If not, who will explain how to work effectively with the interpreters? Will you be introducing the interpreters/roles?

During the Interpretation

During the interpretation, it can be useful to communicate about the following issues:

But, ultimately, the the decision as to if, how, and when the feed will be used is the interpreter's.

Post-Assignment Topics

The post-assignment conversation can be an opportunity to further enhance the team experience and to build professional relationships with your colleagues. You may wish to discuss the following:

1. Review what specific features contributed to a successful interpretation. Were there features that hindered an effective interpretation?
2. What worked well; what was comfortable for you; what would you change next time, and why? What did your teammate do that you particularly appreciated?
3. Is there anything that needs to be resolved between team members? The idea here is that if you feel the need to go and tell someone else about your teammate, you need to talk to your teammate first.

One of the keys to effective team work is communication, and these tips can help you structure your conversations toward the goal of providing successful interpretation within a team context.

** The content of this article comes from workshops focused on team interpreting practices, given by Karen Malcolm and Risa Shaw in Vancouver in 1992, and myself in Toronto, 1988 and 1993, and in Edmonton, 1996. My thanks to Karen and Risa for allowing me to blend their material into this article.

Debra Russell, Adult Educator, Certified Interpreter Ph.D.