With improved transport and communication systems around the world, it's easier than ever to be in contact with people from almost any country. Sometimes the only barrier is language. This is particularly true if you're dealing with people from Latin America, where English is hardly ever spoken. However, with a good Spanish interpreting service even the language barrier can be broken down.
In the USA, you may even need to communicate in Spanish with Americans. The country's large Hispanic population means that there are now more people with Spanish as their first language than there are in Spain. There are entire neighborhoods in cities like Miami FL where you won't even get by with English only and will need an interpreter if you're not bilingual.
Interpreting is a specialized skill. It differs from the skills of a translator. For example, a translator has more time to consult dictionaries and to faithfully render a text into the target language. An interpreter, in contrast, has to get the main ideas across as they're expressed in the original language and has to do so without the aid of dictionaries. This is why the interpreter has to be very fluent in both languages. He or she also needs a good memory and the ability to work under pressure.
Governmental institutions often make use of the services of good interpreters, for example in court cases or in social services. However, more and more private institutions now also need interpreters, especially in places with a large Hispanic community. These institutions can vary from large hospitals to banks or even small businesses. Moreover, anyone who does business in Spain or Latin America will need an interpreter too.
The first thing to look for in a potential interpreter is whether the person can actually do the job. Court interpreters and medical interpreters usually need specialized certification. For business or other purposes, however, formal certification is not as important as suitable experience. You only need to look at the person's references and their previous clients.
There are different kinds of interpreting and you need to choose someone with the relevant skills for your purposes. For business, the interpreter should know the jargon, for example marketing terms. For a conference, you need someone who can get up in front of a large crowd and isn't afraid of public speaking, or who has experience working with the technology that you use. When you have a visiting delegation, you need someone who has a friendly disposition and can accompany your guests wherever they go.
It's a good idea to match the interpreter's own cultural background with that of the people you need to communicate with. Spanish has many different dialects and someone from El Salvador may not easily understand the accent of someone from Argentina, for instance. If you're dealing with people from Cuba, an interpreter who has a Cuban background will also understand the aspects unique to that country.
The Yellow Pages or other local listings are good places to start when looking for interpreters. Many agencies also have websites. Otherwise, contact a professional association for advice and recommendations. In Florida, the organization to contact is ATIF, the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida.
In the USA, you may even need to communicate in Spanish with Americans. The country's large Hispanic population means that there are now more people with Spanish as their first language than there are in Spain. There are entire neighborhoods in cities like Miami FL where you won't even get by with English only and will need an interpreter if you're not bilingual.
Interpreting is a specialized skill. It differs from the skills of a translator. For example, a translator has more time to consult dictionaries and to faithfully render a text into the target language. An interpreter, in contrast, has to get the main ideas across as they're expressed in the original language and has to do so without the aid of dictionaries. This is why the interpreter has to be very fluent in both languages. He or she also needs a good memory and the ability to work under pressure.
Governmental institutions often make use of the services of good interpreters, for example in court cases or in social services. However, more and more private institutions now also need interpreters, especially in places with a large Hispanic community. These institutions can vary from large hospitals to banks or even small businesses. Moreover, anyone who does business in Spain or Latin America will need an interpreter too.
The first thing to look for in a potential interpreter is whether the person can actually do the job. Court interpreters and medical interpreters usually need specialized certification. For business or other purposes, however, formal certification is not as important as suitable experience. You only need to look at the person's references and their previous clients.
There are different kinds of interpreting and you need to choose someone with the relevant skills for your purposes. For business, the interpreter should know the jargon, for example marketing terms. For a conference, you need someone who can get up in front of a large crowd and isn't afraid of public speaking, or who has experience working with the technology that you use. When you have a visiting delegation, you need someone who has a friendly disposition and can accompany your guests wherever they go.
It's a good idea to match the interpreter's own cultural background with that of the people you need to communicate with. Spanish has many different dialects and someone from El Salvador may not easily understand the accent of someone from Argentina, for instance. If you're dealing with people from Cuba, an interpreter who has a Cuban background will also understand the aspects unique to that country.
The Yellow Pages or other local listings are good places to start when looking for interpreters. Many agencies also have websites. Otherwise, contact a professional association for advice and recommendations. In Florida, the organization to contact is ATIF, the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida.
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