Multilingual meetings are no longer unusual, so if your event attracts attendees who speak a number of languages, a good interpreter will help make the entire event memorable and successful.
How do you go about finding good interpreter services? Maria Christina de la Vega offers some suggestions in Event Solutions.
1. Contact the local convention and visitors bureau or use the resources of groups such as MPI to which you belong.
2. Research services on the web, but be sure to verify claims that companies make and to check references.
3. Find out what experience the interpreter has with the association or industry your event is targeting. You want to make sure that any specialized vocabulary is within the competency of the service.
4. Ask about the interpreter’s certification or academic background. There are certifications, for instance, from the state department or the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT), among others offered.
5. Try to hire local interpreters and equipment to keep costs down. This, of course, is easier in some cities than in others and varies by language.
6. Don’t skimp! Once you determine that interpretation services are necessary for your event, you want to make sure that all attendees have a good experience.