Team Interpreting provided for Conferences, Business Meetings and Trainings
Team interpreting is the utilization of two or more sign language interpreters who support each other to meet the needs of a particular communication situation. The decision to use a team rather than an individual interpreter is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
• length and/or complexity of the assignment
• unique needs of the persons being served
• physical and emotional dynamics of the setting
Through teaming, all consumers receive optimum communication allowing each team member to function at their best.
The Team Process
Interpreting teams can be found in a variety of settings. These settings include post-secondary education, ceremonies, lectures, workshops, staff meetings and employee orientations, adversarial hearings and performing arts to name a few.
All team members are actively engaged in the process. They may be providing direct interpretation services, actively working between the two languages or functioning in a supporting role. This support is necessary to enhance the team’s performance and assure accurate communication is provided.
There may be special communication needs of those in attendance (including, but not limited to, the need for tactile, oral or close visual range interpretation) and the dynamics of the scheduled events (concurrent sessions, off site tours, etc.).
When two or more sign language interpreters are working together, the team will need a sufficient amount of time prior to the assignment to determine placement, roles and how to provide support to each other.