It’s interpreting. You just have to show up and talk, right? We know there’s a lot more to interpreting than that.
This installment of “Healthcare Interpreting 101” presents a brief overview of the 3 basic phases of an interpreted encounter. Having a solid understanding the phases will help interpreters fulfill their role and get the most out of each phase of the encounter.
Phase 1: Set the stage
You might think that the first (and maybe only) thing an interpreter does is interpret the messages of the participants in the encounter. You might think this, but you’d be wrong. Before jumping into the act of interpreting, the interpreter conducts a pre-session, or as I like to call it, setting the stage. This is the interpreter’s opportunity to make sure everyone knows what to expect from the interpreter and how to participate effectively in the communication. Setting the stage goes a long way to ensuring that the communication during the encounter flows smoothly and naturally, at least to the extent that is possible.
Phase 2: Get into the groove
Once the stage is set, you’re in position to get into the groove of interpreting. For the most part, this means rendering messages from source to target language over and over and over again. Yup, talking. A lot of talking. But talking a lot is only one aspect of getting into the groove. The interpreter is also continuously monitoring the effectiveness of the communication, maintaining situational awareness, and assessing if and when intervention criteria are met. Like the iceberg analogy, the visible “product” above the surface of the water is a small segment of the entirety of what happens when the interpreter is in the groove in this phase.
Phase 3: Wrap it up
Eventually all good things must come to an end. When your services are no longer needed, you’ve entered the wrap up phase. The particulars of the wrap up phase can vary depending on the circumstances, but in general, in this phase, the interpreter gives a brief, professional, and ethical “post-session” to gracefully conclude the interpreted encounter. This might include a brief word of gratitude or double checking that the participants are prepared for future language service needs. This is your chance to continue to build professional rapport and confidence in working with interpreters right up to the last interaction.
Whether a staff or contract interpreter, whether onsite or remote, every interpreted encounter is structured with these three phases. Start with this general framework and work to perfect and adapt your approach to each phase.
Been interpreting for a while? What advice do you have for new interpreters when navigating the 3 phases of an interpreted encounter?