Guide to Buying Interpreting Services, Part I: Finding and Choosing an Interpreter

Interpreters help power the global economy, working with businesses, governments, non-profits and individuals. They are an integral part of global communication. Interpreters work with the spoken or signed word. The American Translators Association (ATA) has developed a Guide to Buying Interpreting Services as a resource to help clients identify, select and work with interpreters.

Finding an Interpreter

ATA is here to help you find the right language professional. Interpreters work with spoken and signed language, whereas translators work with written text. Both individual interpreters and language service companies are profiled in ATA’s Language Services Directory, a free online resource.

Customize your search to find the right provider by filtering by language or service, as well as a number of other search options such as specialty, location, credentials and more.

Choosing an Interpreter

Being an interpreter entails more than simply knowing two languages—just like knowing how to sing isn’t the same as being ready to perform at the opera. In addition to possessing excellent language skills, professional interpreters communicate complex ideas between languages and cultures.

Membership in organizations such as ATA demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to a formal code of ethics.

Interpreters come from a variety of different backgrounds and choosing an interpreter involves considering several factors:

Language Skills

• Interpreters have advanced speaking and listening skills in their working languages.
• Effective communication between two cultures is an essential skill for interpreters.
• Most professional interpreters in the U.S. market interpret bidirectionally, such as English to and from Spanish.

Interpreter Credentials

• The Credentialed Interpreter (CI) designation in ATA’s Language Services Directory recognizes interpreters who are credentialed by certain ATA-approved entities in fields such as medical, legal, and conference interpreting.
• The entities that test interpreters and offer credentials evaluate the interpreter’s skills based upon results of a written test, oral exam, peer review and/or other criteria. Requirements to practice as an interpreter in the United States can vary by location or subject matter.
• Interpreter credentials are not offered for all languages or all possible areas of expertise.

Education

• Some interpreters have degrees or certificates in interpreting studies. Others have degrees or life experience in other fields.
• Interpreters often have varied educational backgrounds and many have undergraduate or graduate degrees.
• Credentialed interpreters develop and maintain their skills through continuing education.

Specialization

• Most legal, medical, community, and educational interpreters have specialized training and/or certifications. Conference interpreters interpret for a variety of topics. It’s important to hire an interpreter with experience working in the relevant subject area.
• Some settings, such as courts and hospitals, require specific certifications or accreditations depending on the state or locality.

Professional Experience

• For more information about a specific interpreter, review their profile in the ATA Language Services Directory or other information they may have published online.
• An interpreter’s résumé, website or LinkedIn profile can provide more information about their background and relevant experience.
• Testimonials or references from previous clients can also be useful in selecting an interpreter.

Cost of Interpreting Services

• The cost of interpreting services can vary considerably.
• Factors that may impact price include the language pair, mode and modality requested, subject matter, setting and location, lead time and duration of services provided.

Additional ATA Resources

The ATA Compass Blog

ATA Media Kit

Press Releases

This is the first article in a series of articles introducing the American Translators Association’s Guide to Buying Interpreting Services, which was created to help those in need of interpreting services find the best provider for their project and work efficiently with the chosen interpreting provider. For the full guide, click here.

About the Authors

Eve Bodeux is an ATA-certified French to English translator specialized in tech marketing, commercial communications, marketing research and official documents. She is the Secretary of the American Translators Association and serves on the ATA Public Relations Committee.

Jamie Hartz is an ATA-certified Spanish to English translator and transcriber specialized in legal and commercial translations. She currently serves as the Chair of the ATA Public Relations Committee.