ISO 13611:2014. Interpreting–Guidelines for Community Interpreting. The International Organization for Standardization published its first International Standard for any specialization of interpreting in 2014, after five years of development by 22 national member delegations. This document represents the first international standard for community interpreting. The document is a guideline standard, meaning that it contains no requirements but offers valuable information about international consensus on the profession and the industry. Purchase and download at http://www.iso.org.
In terms of broad ISO overviews, here is an article to help you understand international standards for translation and interpreting. (ISO is the leading body for the creation of international standards for everything from light bulbs and seatbelts to the standard abbreviations for languages–i.e. language codes).
ASTM International, F2089-15 Standard Practice for Language Interpreting. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International. $43.00 These industry standards were developed in 2001; the current standard was published in 2015. These standards are not mandatory but critically important: the requirements offer a national charter for the development of voluntary standards. In addition, this requirements-based standard identifies components of quality language interpreting. (ASTM International was formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials.) ASTM International’s standards are used in more than 100 countries. To order or download a copy contact:
ASTM International
100 Barr Harbor Drive
PO Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
E-mail inquiries: service@astm.org
Website: www.astm.org
National Council of Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC), National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care (2005). To download a copy at no charge of the only national standards for any area of community interpreting, go to www.ncihc.org.
International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and Educational Development Center, Inc. (1995). Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice. Boston, MA. Available at www.imiaweb.org.
The California Healthcare Interpreters Association (CHIA), Standards of practice for healthcare interpreting. CHIA produced the other set of highly influential standards of practice for interpreters in healthcare in the U.S.
Advocacy: the U.S. National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC) released addition detailed guidance on this important topic of interpreter advocacy. They also produced questions that guide the interpreter about when not to advocate: take a look.
The International Federation of Translators (FIT) is a leading group of professional associations of both interpreters and translators. Last year it produced three position papers:
One paper on international standards for interpreters, translators and terminologists
One paper on the relations between freelancers and translation companies
One paper on the future of professional translators
Marjory A. Bancroft (2004), Standards of Practice for Interpreters: An Environmental Scan. National Council on Interpreting in Health Care. This study, performed by one of the authors of this training manual, offers a detailed analysis of codes of ethics and standards of practice for legal, medical, community, conference, sign language and general interpreters in the United States and around the world. It is available at www.ncihc.org.
For a similar but shorter (easy-to-read) publication also by Marjory A. Bancroft (2005), see The Interpreter’s World Tour: An Environmental Scan of Standards of Practice for Interpreters, California Endowment. Available here.
Addressing the critical matter of when (or how) interpreters should “help out” with forms, this paper by NCIHC is titled Sight Translation and Written Translation: Guidelines for Healthcare Interpreters. It applies well to education, social services and other community interpreting.
In terms of broad ISO overviews, here is an article to help you understand international standards for translation and interpreting. (ISO is the International Organization for Standardization: the leading body for the creation of international standards for everything from light bulbs and seatbelts to the standard abbreviations for languages (language codes).
Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Skill Level Descriptions for Interpreter Performance
Federal standards for interpreter performance were developed in 2007. They are available here. The following information about these standards is taken from that website:
These Skill Level Descriptions are primarily intended to serve as guidelines for use in government settings. They are separate and distinct from the ILR Language Skill Level Descriptions. Interpreting is a complex task that combines several abilities beyond language competence in order to enable delivery of an effective professional interpretation in a given setting. Consequently, extreme care must be exercised in hiring interpreters and interpreting duties should be assigned to individuals within their performance level.
To facilitate this correspondence, the ILR Skill Level Descriptions characterize interpreting performance in three bands: Professional Performance (Levels 3 to 5), Limited Performance (Levels 2 and 2+), and Minimal Performance (Levels 1 and 1+). Only individuals performing at the Professional Performance levels are properly termed “interpreters.”
From the standpoint of the user, a successful interpretation is one that faithfully and accurately conveys the meaning of the source language orally, reflecting the style, register, and cultural context of the source message, without omissions, additions or embellishments on the part of the interpreter.
No, CCC is an organization dedicated solely to interpreter and cultural competence training. Our mission is language access. However, we do provide graduates of The Community Interpreter® with a list of nearby language companies and public organizations that employ interpreters. We also occasionally send out job postings to our program graduates and/or e-newsletter subscribers at the request of other organizations.
Cross-Cultural Communications is the leading international training agency in the U.S. devoted to community interpreting, educational interpreting, healthcare interpreting and cultural competence. It is also the only organization that licenses community interpreters across the U.S. and in other countries. We regularly train bilingual staff as well as contract interpreters. We also provide training and consulting services to private companies, non-profits and government agencies. Our programs are grounded in a mixture of theory and practical, hands-on activities.
The Community Interpreter® International, or TCII, is a 40-hour certificate training program for interpreters who are just starting out or those experienced interpreters who are looking for a recognized qualification. Subjects covered include the interpreting code of ethics and standards of practice in order to give participants a solid grounding in the profession. This is complemented by practical, hands-on activities such as role-plays and interactive group discussions. The program fulfills the 40-hour training requirements considered by many (certifying bodies employers and industry associations) to be the minimum needed to entire the field.
At the moment, a combination of two CCC programs fulfills this requirement: Medical Terminology for Interpreters (7.5 hours) and The Community Interpreter® International. Since TCII is open to all community interpreters and the subject matter covers education and social services as well as medical interpreting, at the end of each TCII session any participant who is seeking medical interpreter certification will be given a letter from CCC, stating the number of hours that can be counted towards this requirement. Typically 34-36 hours count towards the 40 hour requirement.
Yes, although the CE credits offered for each program will vary according to course length and content. Our programs are currently approved for continuing education credits by the following organizations:
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