Team Interpreters

It is an industry standard to provide a team of two interpreters for most assignments. (We say most because there are some assignments that wouldn't warrant a team of two interpreters, which are discussed later in this post.) There are several reasons that most assignments warrant a team of two interpreters, including:

• Preventing Repetitive Use Injuries: Over extended periods of time, ASL interpreters are at risk of developing repetitive use injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, if they do not have the opportunity to rest their wrists and minimize strain. Working as a team of two interpreters allows for regular breaks, reducing the risk of such injuries and ensuring interpreters can maintain the highest level of service quality.

• Enhancing Interpretation Accuracy: Team interpreters actively support one another. They work in tandem, offering assistance with words or phrases that may have been misheard or misinterpreted. This collaborative approach significantly enhances the accuracy and precision of the interpretation, ensuring that the message is conveyed as intended. It also allows for a smoother flow of communication, especially in situations with technical jargon or unique terminology.

• Regular Breaks: While interpreters are actively interpreting, they don't have an opportunity to get a drink or use the restroom. If a sole interpreter needed to step away, the client would miss out on the content being shared. Interpreters are expected to provide continuous accessibility for our clients, which wouldn't be sustainable for just one interpreter. In addition to the need for physical breaks, interpreting is also mentally draining. Interpreters are constantly taking in one message and deciding how to best interpret that into the target language, all while also considering a) the clients' language styles and preferences and b) their role in fostering an inclusive environment.

As noted, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you require an interpreter to be on-call for sporadic needs during an extended assignment, a single interpreter may suffice. In such cases, the interpreter would not be actively interpreting throughout the entire assignment. When you hire an interpreter for a medical appointment, they may only need to actively interpret for a 15-20 minute encounter even though the full assignment requires them to be on-site for over an hour. This would not typically warrant a team of two interpreters.

Another factor to consider is the number of participants in the event. If there are multiple breakout sessions at your event and there are multiple Deaf attendees, they may plan on attending different breakout sessions which would require assigning multiple teams of interpreters. It is also important to gather as much information about the clients' preferences as possible. For example, they may prefer tactile interpreting services (for DeafBlind clients), or they may use a foreign sign language (other than American Sign Language). This may require a team of CDIs (Certified Deaf Interpreters) who specialize in providing such services.

If you have a short event, you may still consider hiring a team of two interpreters if there is little room for error. If you want to make sure your message comes across appropriately and accurately the first time, a team interpreter can help ensure that there are no misinterpretations. This is especially important for highly technical events with specialized jargon that most interpreters may not be familiar with. Another way to ensure accuracy is to hire interpreters at any rehearsal for your event and share any prep materials that are available.

There is a lot to consider when providing sign language interpreters at your event, but we will walk you through each step of the process. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality services, and we are committed to tailoring our services to meet your unique needs, so please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.