When looking for interpreters to attend your large event there are several things you need to take into consideration. This blog will take you through some of the considerations that need to be made to ensure the best possible service on the day.
Prep, prep and more prep
Preparation is one of the most important things for an interpreter in any setting but when it comes to large events this is even more crucial. Prep comes in many different forms but the main purpose of it is to help fill in any gaps and help the interpreter to stay on track.
Interpreters working on theatre shows will often go and see the show if possible beforehand, as well as studying the script – a free ticket for your interpreter is always very well received. A script is one of the best preparation materials you could give an interpreter in a theatre setting as they need to be aware of what is being said, who is saying it, and where on the stage they are saying it from to ensure a quality interpretation.
Things like presentation slides, notes, setlists, scripts and any video/audio of similar events hosted by your company before are a great way to allow the interpreters to be fully prepared on the subject matter and, the language that will be used during the event. Any information you have in relation to your event is always gratefully received. With the understanding that things such as setlists are sometimes top secret, we can always arrange for a confidentiality agreement to be signed to ensure the interpreters are fully prepared and your secret information stays secret.
To book an interpreter for your large event – click here to get in touch with the team today
Too big of a job for one person
Interpreters will co-work at a large event, you will have a head interpreter who will co-ordinate the team of interpreters making sure that they are all prepped effectively and that they are working for appropriate amounts of time. Only when there are more than two interpreters can one truly ‘switch off’ and have a break. Interpreting is a very strenuous task and it is crucial to ensure that the team of interpreters works together at the event to ensure consistency and support in the interpreting. For more information on choosing the right number of interpreters click here(PDF).
Can they see me?
There are many things you need to think about when making your event accessible for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. One thing is placement of the interpreter and hearing-impaired individuals, the interpreter should be placed near where the Deaf attendees are if this is possible. Along with this the lighting needs to be sufficient to allow the interpreter to be seen throughout the event.
The interpreter also needs to be able to hear everything that is being said at the event so they should be placed somewhere where the sound quality is good. When booking a communication professional even the finer practical details like parking and where they need to go should be made clear beforehand to help make the day run as smoothly as possible.
All of these things help to ensure that when an interpreter or team of interpreters turn up to an event, they feel confident and confident interpreters = confident Deaf people. If the interpreter hasn’t had the right prep and is looking a little nervous and off track this could lead to the Deaf people not trusting their interpretation even if it is of a high quality.
At Clarion UK we champion every Deaf, hard-of-hearing or disabled person to get the best language, learning and employment support, achieving equal access to mainstream services – if you would like to contribute to our blog or share your story please contact Chloe – chloe@clarion-uk.com
