Whether you're attending a court hearing, a hospital appointment, an immigration interview, or a business meeting, working with a professional interpreter is a skill. It's one that most people have never been taught.
The good news is that a few simple habits can dramatically improve the accuracy, speed, and comfort of any interpreted conversation. This guide is for everyone involved: the person who needs the interpreter, and the lawyer, doctor, teacher, or manager communicating with them.
At PRO Interpreting Canada, we provide certified interpreters across Ontario, and we've seen what makes interpreted sessions run smoothly. Here are our top 10 tips.
Before the Appointment
1. Book as early as you can
The earlier you book, the more choice you have, especially for specialized settings like courts and hospitals, or for less commonly requested languages. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, particularly over the phone, but advance notice always gives you the best match.
2. Confirm the exact language and dialect
Many languages vary significantly by region. Arabic has Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, and Maghrebi varieties. Chinese includes Mandarin and Cantonese, which are spoken very differently. Spanish, Punjabi, Portuguese, and French also have regional differences.
Don't just say "Arabic" or "Chinese." If you're not sure which variety someone speaks, ask them, or tell your interpreting provider so they can help you find out.
3. Share background information
Tell your interpreter the setting, the topic, and any specialized terms that may come up. A court interpreter who knows the type of case, or a medical interpreter who knows the specialty, can prepare terminology in advance. Even a short briefing improves accuracy.
4. Choose the right format
Different situations call for different formats:
In-person interpretation is best for complex, sensitive, or high-stakes situations, where body language and presence matter.
Over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) is ideal for urgent needs and short conversations.
Video remote interpreting (VRI) works well for virtual meetings and hearings, and when seeing faces and gestures matters.
During the Conversation
5. Speak to the person, not the interpreter
This is the most common mistake. Look at and speak directly to the person you're communicating with, as if the interpreter weren't there. Say "What symptoms are you having?" rather than "Ask her what symptoms she's having." The interpreter is a bridge, not a participant.
6. Use short sentences and pause regularly
Long, complex sentences are harder to interpret accurately. Speak in clear, manageable segments, and pause so the interpreter can convey each one completely. In consecutive interpreting, this rhythm is what keeps the conversation accurate.
7. Avoid slang, idioms, and jargon
Phrases like "ballpark figure," "touch base," or "back to square one" rarely translate well. Plain language is clearer in any language. If you must use technical terms, explain them briefly.
8. Allow extra time
An interpreted conversation takes roughly twice as long as one in a single language, because everything is said twice. Build extra time into appointments and meetings, and don't rush important points just to stay on schedule.
Throughout the Session
9. Expect complete, neutral interpretation
A professional interpreter conveys everything that is said, without adding, removing, or softening anything, and without offering opinions or advice. If the interpreter asks to clarify a term or repeat something, that is a sign of care, not a problem. They are protecting accuracy.
Remember too that professional interpreters are bound by confidentiality. What is said in the session stays in the session.
10. Ask if something is unclear
If you aren't sure whether something was understood, check. Ask the other person to explain in their own words what they've understood. This is especially important in medical, legal, and immigration settings, where misunderstandings carry real consequences.
Why Not Just Use a Bilingual Friend or Family Member?
It's tempting, especially to save time or money. But untrained interpreters may leave things out, add their own words, or soften difficult news. They may not know specialized terminology. And family members can find it emotionally hard to convey a serious diagnosis or a difficult legal message accurately.
Courts, hospitals, and government agencies generally expect trained, professional interpreters for important proceedings. Children in particular should never be asked to interpret for their parents in medical, legal, or school settings.
A Quick Checklist
Before your next interpreted appointment:
☐ Interpreter booked in advance
☐ Exact language and dialect confirmed
☐ Background information shared
☐ Format chosen (in-person, phone, or video)
☐ Extra time allowed in the schedule
☐ Plain language and short sentences ready
☐ Questions prepared
Book a Certified Interpreter in Ontario
PRO Interpreting Canada provides certified interpreters for legal, medical, immigration, educational, and business settings across Ontario, in person, over the phone, or via video, in a wide range of languages and dialects. If you're unsure what you need, contact us. We'll help you choose the right interpreter and the right format for your situation.
Contact us today for a free quote.
