''Whenever two people that don't speak the same language need to communicate, there's a need for an interpreter,'' says Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Language Services Coordinator, Doctor Lidia Elicegui.

There are about 200 interpreters working in Western Australia and there is nearly an equal ratio between the number of females and males. Most interpreters work in the Perth metropolitan area with a very small percentage in the South West, Midwest/Gascoyne, and Pilbara regions.

Approximately 500 training places are offered every year in the Certificate IV in Applied Language Studies. This is offered in Indonesian, Mandarin and Japanese (full-time) but a host of other languages are available for people interested in part-time study. In 2000, 51 people from Western Australia were accredited in interpreting by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Two Way Dialogue

Interpreters are involved with the translation of the spoken word from one language into another. They might, for instance, interpret what someone speaking Japanese is saying into English and then interpret the message back from the English speaker to the Japanese speaker.



These language specialists must be fluent and have an extensive vocabulary in at least two languages, and be able to interpret on the spot. As important as it is for an interpreter to be able to speak different languages, it's also essential that they understand cultural differences in order to be culturally sensitive.

As interpreters work with a wide range of people, it's important they have good communication and interpersonal skills. They should be good listeners with a good memory. They must also keep up with new words or terms that are introduced into the languages they interpret.


Understanding the Issues

Interpreters may opt to specialise in a particular area such as community, health or conference interpreting.

''In my role at the hospital, I organise interpreter services for patients who need them. If they are Spanish or Italian speaking, I will do the interpreting. But I do not only work as a health interpreter. I am also a community interpreter. I assist migrants and Australians whose work requires that they are able to communicate with their non English speaking clients. I have also interpreted at business meetings and at conferences.

''The great thing about interpreting is that you're presented with a vast range of situations. However, it can be very challenging and you do encounter some distressing situations, especially in a hospital environment,'' says Dr Elicegui.

Interpreters are generally employed on a casual, part-time or contract basis. They may find work in various state or federal government agencies, such as the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs or Centrelink. They are also employed by hospitals, the Deaf Society and their skills are utilised by the business community. Interpreters usually register with a translating and interpreting service such as the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) in Victoria.


Maintaining The Context

A local interpreter who regularly interprets for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs says interpreters must abide by a code of ethics. This code states that they must not change the context of what is said. Even when interpreting for professionals, such as a doctor, interpreters must be able to appropriately interpret any terminology used. She also says that interpreters should ask the relevant speaker to clarify what has been said if the interpreter has not understood the full context of the message.



Most interpreters earn about $35 per hour. Certain interpreting and translating companies will pay interpreters for a minimum period of work, usually 90 minutes. As a result, it is not possible to estimate annual salary earnings.

Employment prospects for interpreters largely depend on the demand for the language(s) they speak which is in turn influenced by political and economic factors that determine the numbers of immigrants and refugees in Australia.

People wanting to work as an interpreter should be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). NAATI accreditation is the only accepted qualification in Australia for interpreters and translators.

There are three ways to become accredited but, first, people need to have completed Year 12 and have fluent oral language skills in English and at least one other language. The completion of a tertiary course majoring in a language is also highly desirable.

To gain NAATI accreditation, you can either successfully complete a NAATI approved course of study, pass a NAATI test (pass mark is 70%) or produce evidence that demonstrates your qualifications in interpreting using the relevant techniques. These will be judged by the Authority to ensure that they are equivalent to the standards required by NAATI at the professional level.

There are four levels of accreditation for both interpreters and translators according to the NAATI system of accreditation: Paraprofessional, Professional, Conference and Conference (Senior). For more information, please contact NAATI.

Central TAFE (Perth campus) offers a Certificate IV in Applied Language Studies (part-time and full-time), a 12 month, part time Diploma of Interpreting (Paraprofessional); and a 12 month, part-time Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (Professional).

For further information, please contact the campus or check out the TAFE site below.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)
Suite 5, 72 Canning Highway Victoria Park WA 6100

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
2 Londsdale St VIC 3001 Ph: 1300 655 080 (FREECALL) URL: http://www.immi.gov.au

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