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How to Speak Through an Interpreter: Practical Tips
How do you speak through an interpreter?
TL;DR:
Speaking through an interpreter requires preparation, clear communication, and teamwork. Review your message together beforehand. Use short, complete thoughts, pause for interpreting, and avoid jargon, idioms, and wordplay. Address your listeners directly, allow the interpreter to finish, and express appreciation afterward.
Symbol of translation from English to Hindi
Tips for working with interpreters during mission trips or other occasions
There are dos and don'ts to follow when speaking through an interpreter.
Learn to collaborate with interpreters, from preparing for your presentation to keeping your audience engaged.
Recognize the challenges and rewards of working with interpreters, and thank your interpreter for helping you communicate.
Speaking through an interpreter can be a good experience . . . or it can be a frustrating one.
Cross-cultural experiences: Speaking or preaching when listeners need your words translated into another language
Thousands of languages are spoken throughout the world. Even people who speak several languages know only a small fraction of them. Although English is widely spoken, many people do not speak it. You may therefore need an interpreter during an overseas mission trip.
Using an interpreter in cross-cultural Christian mission
If you are going to be speaking with the help of an interpreter, heed these guidelines:
Ahead of time
Pray with your interpreter beforehand. Prayer has a way of bonding people together.
Review Scripture passages and main points with your interpreter beforehand. This gives your interpreter time to consider how to express what you plan to say.
Familiarize yourself with the basic cultural norms of your listeners so you can communicate sensitively.
Help your interpreter understand exactly what you hope to communicate by providing a sentence or phrase that captures the essence of your message.
During your presentation
Speak in short, complete thoughts, then pause for the interpreter. Grammar and word order vary among languages, so stopping in the middle of a thought can make interpreting difficult.
Avoid complex sentences and unnecessary digressions. Long, complex sentences can make it harder for interpreters to retain every detail. Unnecessary digressions can confuse listeners.
Recognize that interpreters occasionally need to backtrack to clarify something.
Poetry is difficult to interpret spontaneously. If you plan to use a poem, give it to your interpreter beforehand.
Avoid slang and idiomatic expressions.
Recognize that humor that depends on wordplay or cultural references may not translate well.
Be visual. Draw word pictures.
When you pause for interpreting, maintain eye contact with the audience rather than turning to watch your interpreter. Address your listeners directly.
When you are finished
Warmly thank your interpreter. Acknowledge the skill and concentration that interpreting requires, and express appreciation to your listeners for the opportunity to communicate with them.
Speaking through a interpreter requires clear and concise communication coupled with patience and understanding. Begin by organizing your thoughts and messages into straightforward, easily translatable phrases. Speak at a moderate pace so the interpreter can interpret your words accurately. Maintain eye contact and engage with the person or audience you are speaking with (rather than the interpreter). Respect cultural subtleties and be open to clarifications or repetitions that may be needed. Avoid using idiomatic expressions or colloquialisms that may not translate well. Lastly, express gratitude to both the interpreter and your audience for their cooperation and understanding.
Five common mistakes when speaking through an interpreter
Avoid these five pitfalls, which can cause misunderstandings or disrupt communication:
Speaking too quickly or in long paragraphs:
Rapid speech or delivering information in long, complex sentences makes it difficult for an
interpreter to interpret accurately. The interpreter might miss key points or struggle to communicate the
message clearly. Speaking in short, clear sentences gives the interpreter time to process and
interpret effectively.
Using jargon, idioms, or cultural references:
Jargon, idiomatic expressions, or culture-specific references may not have direct translations in another
language. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation if the interpreter cannot find an
equivalent expression in the target language.
Interrupting or talking over the interpreter:
Interrupting interpreters while they are speaking can break the flow of communication, causing
confusion and frustration for both the interpreter and the audience. Allow the interpreter to finish
interpreting before continuing.
Ignoring the interpreter's role: Speaking directly to
the interpreter instead of the person you are communicating with or making side comments to the
interpreter undermines the communication process. Always direct your speech to the person you
are trying to communicate with, not the interpreter. Address your listeners directly while respecting the interpreter's role as your communication partner.
Failing to brief the interpreter beforehand: Not providing the interpreter with context, background information, or specific terminology can result in misunderstandings. Briefing interpreters beforehand allows them to prepare and lay the groundwork for accurate interpreting.
