Interpreter
Interpreters convert spoken words from one language into another, in person, over the phone and online.
What you'll do
There are 3 main types of professional interpreting:
- conference interpreting
- business interpreting
- public service interpreting
As a conference interpreter you could:
- attend live conferences, lectures and meetings
- listen to speakers through headphones in a soundproof booth
- interpret what speakers are saying and, at the same time, pass this on to delegates in their own language
As a business interpreter you may:
- attend business meetings and events
- listen to what is being said and make notes
- relay what is being said after each passage of speech and during pauses
As a public service interpreter you could:
- interpret for people using legal, health and local government services
- check your client's understanding after each sentence or passage of speech
- interpret at short notice, such as call-outs to emergency medical or police interviews
In all cases, you would prepare as much as possible. For example, by making notes, reading speeches beforehand, researching meeting topics and learning speakers' names and roles.
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, at a conference centre, in an office, at a police station, in a court, in a prison or in an NHS or private hospital.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of English language
- foreign language skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- active listening skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- a good memory
- the ability to work on your own
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a interpreter
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- volunteering
- specialist courses run by a professional body
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- interpreting studies
- languages and interpreting
- translation and interpreting
- modern languages
Check the Institute of Translation and Interpreting for courses.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
You can do a college course in community interpreting if you are fluent in English and another language spoken by people in the community.
These courses are often available from introductory level to advanced.
You'll usually need some experience of paid or unpaid interpreting work in community settings to move on to the higher-level courses.
Entry requirements
You'll need:
- an excellent standard of English
Volunteering
You can find volunteering opportunities as a community interpreter with:
- local councils
- health and social services
- welfare rights organisations
- legal advice centres
- community organisations
Volunteering experience will be helpful if you want to apply to do a college course in interpreting, or to study to become professionally qualified.
Other routes
You can do interpreting qualifications through a professional body, like the Chartered Institute of Linguists .
Courses include:
- Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI)
- DPSI Law - for interpreters working in the justice system
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- move into the co-ordination and management of interpreting services
- specialise in a particular field, such as legal, medical or diplomatic work
- set up your own interpreting agency in the public or private sector
- work freelance and combine interpreting with training others
Career tips
To be fluent in a second language, you should:
- be able to communicate quickly, smoothly and accurately
- know and understand informal speech, slang and regional differences
- understand the culture of the country or communities where the language is spoken
Professional and industry bodies
You can join an industry association to help with your professional development and to build up your network of contacts.
Organisations include:
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting
- Chartered Institute of Linguists
- International Association of Conference Interpreters
- National Register of Public Service Interpreters
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0