A year ago, a hard-working Thai businesswoman named Salisa pitched her business to foreign investors to expand internationally. Everything was prepared meticulously. Her services had a solid customer base, and her track record served as evidence to instill confidence in investors. However, she missed that opportunity miserably. The investors' response made it clear that they didn't understand the details of her services or her strategic plans for the future. Salisa, a businesswoman, manager, and software engineer, went back to the drawing board because she chose the wrong interpreters.
A year later, she got another chance to pitch her business after reviewing her mistakes and seeking advice from experts. She realized that when choosing an interpreter, several factors need to be considered. There are at least 5 key points to consider
Familiarity with the Field
Salisa understood that before hiring an interpreter, she needed to clearly define the scope and objectives of the job. In her case, she ran a software solution company, and the meeting aimed to sway investors into signing checks.
Interpreter's Specialized Knowledge
Thailand has many interpreters, each with different expertise. Some excel in consecutive interpretation, while others in simultaneous interpretation. Some are skilled in legal matters, technology, medicine, etc. Additionally, Salisa needed someone with business and/or sales experience who could convey meaning and confidence to investors in the target language.
Checking Interpreter's Background
After compiling a list of interpreters with relevant knowledge and skills, Salisa needed to check if they had experience in similar jobs. The more experience, the better, as it means the interpreter had earned trust from other clients and had excellent language skills and reviews.
Professionalism
Having skills alone is not enough. In the interpreter profession, challenges often arise, such as confusions about terminology, malfunctioning equipment, or last-minute changes. A good interpreter should be proactive in troubleshooting, clarifying doubts, and adapting to the situation to deliver the best results.
Building Long-Term Relationships
Interpreters with expertise in a specific field often spend a long time mastering the terminology and phrases used in that field. Therefore, it's not surprising that Salisa wants to stick with an interpreter who has previously worked with her. They are familiar with her communication style, jargon, and organizational dynamics, eliminating the need for detailed briefings for every job.
Interpreter Rates
Salisa learned that interpreting is not just about language. It requires specialized expertise, clear communication, and the persuasive language should the situation requires it. Finding an interpreter who is both linguistically proficient and skilled in using persuasive language is time-consuming. Consequently, many organizations opt to use interpreting agencies that already have resources and expertise in selecting and evaluating interpreters.
