With the world becoming more connected and countries becoming increasingly diverse, it is not uncommon for businesses to need the work of an interpreter from time to time. Not all business professionals are fluent in English, so if you’re conducting a meeting with colleagues or attendees that fall into this category, you’ll likely require the services of a corporate interpreter.

An interpreter’s job is to help people effectively communicate with one another, so it is vital that they be competent and prepared for every meeting. After all, miscommunication in business can make for ruined deals or proposals. To ensure that your meeting runs as smoothly as possible, you need to take steps to appropriately prepare for the interpreter.

Here’s an overview of the actions you should take to ensure accurate translations and efficient interpreting.

Selecting the Right Corporate Interpreter

Successful interpreting starts with having a process in place to help you choose the best interpreter for the job.

To begin, you’ll want to determine which language(s) your meeting participants require. Note that even if a participant speaks English well, if it’s not their first language, they may still favor the assistance of an interpreter for a variety of reasons.

After determining the language(s) needed, the next step is to choose the dialect. Correct dialect guarantees that the interpreter uses the right vocabulary and comprehends the cultural and business norms in the region.

Additionally, you should always choose an industry-specific interpreter if possible. Every industry has unique jargon and protocols attached to it, so an interpreter who is specifically trained in your industry will likely prevent confusion and provide a more accurate translation.

Properly Preparing Your Interpreter

It might not immediately strike you, but the reality is that interpreters need time to prepare for their sessions and meetings, also. After hiring an interpreter, it is critical to set aside time to properly brief them in advance. The briefing should include whether simultaneous or consecutive interpreting is required, the type of venue that the meeting will take place in, and the topics that will be addressed in the meeting.

Additionally, if you plan to give a presentation during your meeting, providing a copy of your slides for the interpreter to review in advance is very helpful. This goes for any other documents or written materials you have available ahead of time. If confidentially is a concern, include necessary confidentially clauses in your service contract when you first hire the interpreter.

Properly Preparing Your Business

Preparedness goes both ways. If your interpreter is adequately prepared, and you are not, your meeting will likely suffer for it.

Before the meeting, encourage participants working from home to find a quiet space and use headphones during the meeting. Any unnecessary distractions make it more challenging for the interpreter to do their job. 

During the meeting, remember to make eye contact with your audience and colleagues, not with your interpreter. If you look at the interpreter while you speak, you might miss significant nonverbal communication cues from your other participants. In addition, remember to enunciate your words and speak clearly without rushing your sentences. These actions will make things much easier on your interpreter and will help ensure translation accuracy.

Gain Access to Professional Corporate Interpreters

If you are searching for professional and talented corporate interpreters, please contact inWhatLanguage today. We offer qualified and certified remote, on-site, or in-person interpreters for all of your meetings and events. Our professional linguists will enable your team to break language barriers and have meaningful discussions. You can learn more about all of our interpretation services here.