Setting the right expectations is key to fostering business relationships, especially in the service industry. It enables the people involved to have a clear picture in mind, and work according to what is required. In the field of translation, a common goof up that happens more often than not, is when people do not know the difference between a translator and an interpreter. Lack of knowledge leads to confusion and therefore, improper expectations.
Interpretation, as a profession, calls for scrupulousness & a disciplined attitude towards languages. In addition to it, situations could sometimes be unpredictable & the only thing that the interpreter can lean back on, is his own preparation, prior to any particular assignment. In order to allow interpreters to work as per their calibre and potential, it is essential to equip them with the right kind of information.
Below are some examples of how an interpreter can better prepared before a particular project or assignment :-
1. Interpreter for Machine Installation
- The usual requirement entails interpretation of instructions on the imported machine, assisting the employees to understand guideline manuals or handbooks in a simple way, so as to help them use the machine efficiently.
- For such assignments, the interpreter must be provided with information related to the imported machine (for eg: website links of such machinery), relevant scope of terminologies which could be used, an understanding of how many employees are to be addressed, local language used, etc. This will aid the interpreter greatly before commencing with the actual work.
2. Interpreter for Business Meetings
- Meetings are held for different purposes, ranging from business expansion, mergers, strategic planning, marketing, focus groups, annual or board meetings.
- More often than not, there are PPT presentations or other resources used to support the meeting agenda. The interpreters must be provided with PPTs or any relevant reading material in advance to help get background knowledge of what will be taking place.
3. Interpreter for LIVE Training
- Job training or orientation, skills & ability, knowledge – based, safety measures, promotional, etc. are some examples of LIVE training undertaken by any organization or company.
- For such requirements, interpreters should be provided with a gist of the training material, perhaps the entire flow of it, so they could then get a grip on the subject matter, which would help them to further explain it to the target audience.
4. Telephonic & Skype Interpretation
- Telephonic interpretation is generally used for interviews, one time requirements where the person needs to know some information as part of market research, etc. It is a different setting since the people involved cannot see each other. Therefore, such kind of interpretation must be done skilfully, in a relatively quieter environment with a good telephone/internet connection. These conversations comparatively are of shorter duration.
- In such cases, the interpreters must ideally be briefed about the client, company or relevant project details, website links, etc. so they could be prepared for the telephonic conversation. Such briefing can take place anytime from one day prior to the assignment or even a few hours before, for urgent requirements.
It is clear from the above points that without interpreters, it would be rather difficult to manage business relationships with international clients, thereby creating unnecessary hurdles for the required business processes. We, at CMM Languages provided professional & qualified interpreters all across India as well as in China.