How to recruit interpreters
Organising a multilingual meeting? Interpreters are one of the keys to a successful event. Here’s how to recruit them and what to consider in the process.
Organising a multilingual meeting? Interpreters are one of the keys to a successful event. Here’s how to recruit them and what to consider in the process.
If your event requires a limited number of languages, search for interpreters yourself, using AIIC’s interactive showterpreter directory.
If your event is more complex and demanding, i.e. you need equipment or you would like to contract out all language services to a single provider, contact an AIIC Consultant Interpreter through AIIC’s interactive showterpreter directory.
If you are not certain which to use, read the following sections on "whom do I contact" and "what to expect".
Whom do I contact and how?
─── Why choose AIIC interpreters? Members of AIIC are professionals who provide top notch services, respect ethics and confidentiality, while also enjoying the trust of international organisations, governments and the private sector. More information on the assurance provided by AIIC interpreters and what they mean to you can be found here.
─── Make use of the interactive AIIC Directory. This is a valuable search engine that enables you to find the interpreters with the desired linguistic profile in the required location.
─── Consider using the services of accredited Consultant Interpreters. They are experienced working interpreters offering bespoke solutions based on your needs. These include finding and coordinating the team of interpreters, providing equipment and so forth. Find your closest Consultant Interpreter through the dedicated Directory.
─── AIIC interpreters are found all over the world. The Region of Greece and Cyprus has over 40 members that cover several European languages. For some language pairs, you may need to broaden your search to other nearby countries or regions.
Communicate your needs...
─── What language services do you need besides interpretation? By way of example, advice on organising an event online, equipment for simultaneous interpreting, translation of documents, transcriptions …
─── What languages do your participants speak and/or understand? This information is critical for choosing an interpreter with the appropriate linguistic profile.
─── What is the subject matter of the meeting?
─── How many participants are you expecting? Will there be breakout sessions?
─── Will there be any remote speakers? Will the meeting be live-streamed and/or recorded?
─── What are your preferences and restrictions as regards the linguistic services required or with respect to the organisation of the event in general?
...so that we can help you
If you opt to search for colleagues on the AIIC Interpreter directory, rest assured that you are contracting the best in the field. Seasoned professionals, who have honed their skills and respect the profession’s rules. They will be punctual, well prepared, and really deliver. Besides this, all members have sufficient know-how and market knowledge to help you find other interpreters according to your needs or recommend trusted equipment providers. So don’t hesitate to contact them.
If on the other hand, you opt for the services of AIIC Accredited Consultant Interpreters, they will be able to offer you a comprehensive service package that may include the following:
─── Provide information about the available options that best suit your needs in respect of the team of interpreters, interpretation equipment required and working conditions for interpretation. You will receive a detailed quote and be able to ask questions thereon.
─── Following the approval of the quote, the Consultant Interpreter will recruit the interpreters and liaise with them before and during your event and ensure that the appropriate equipment has been installed by trusted suppliers.
─── The Consultant Interpreter will ensure that everything runs smoothly in terms of linguistic and technical aspects, and will arrange for a rehearsal, if necessary, before actual the event (especially in remote settings) or a briefing for interpreters.
In this way, a single professional shall be responsible for providing a full set of services and you will receive only one invoice. Therefore, you avoid misunderstandings between suppliers and you know whom to contact should anything arise. This will allow you to focus fully and calmly on what really counts i.e. the message that you wish to convey with your event.