How to book an Interpreter or Translation

Definitions

Note: For the purposes of this 'How To' interpreting refers to verbal languages, other non-verbal languages including British Sign Language (BSL) can be accessed in the 'How to book a BSL Interpreter or translation' section.

What is an Interpreter?

An interpreter is someone who is (at least) bilingual and has the ability and training to be able to work between two languages and facilitate communication between people. They are able to convert information from one language into another, for example, from English into another language or dialect. Interpreting can be face-to-face, remote video or by telephone.

What is a Translation?

Translating is converting a written language to another written language so that it can be easily understood by the reader.

Making a booking

When organising a meeting or event, it should be standard practice to promote the availability of alternative formats or languages.  See the How To Promote Alternative Formats and Languages section for more information.

Once a need has been identified you should contact a potential supplier outlining the service you are looking for, the language required and a proposed timeline to ask for a quote.

Things to consider when requesting an interpreter or translation

Interpreter:

• Format - Ask about the format of the meeting for example, face-to-face, remote video or by telephone
• Number - The number of people involved for example, one to one, small workshop or meeting, larger event with formal presenters
• Content - All interpreters must follow an agreed code of conduct as part of their contractual agreements. Interpreters have different skill sets and this should be considered for example, confidential social work meeting or presenting a large scale public engagement event
• Language- Ask the service user.  There are a large number of languages and dialects spoken in Glasgow, in order to ensure the correct Translation/Interpreter is being requested ask the service user for their personal language preferences.

Translation:

• Document- What are you translating? For example, application form, larger document
• Content - All interpreters must follow an agreed code of conduct as part of their contractual agreements. Translators have different skill sets and this should be considered for example, confidential social work document or an event poster.
• Format -Written translation, video or audio recording
• Language- Ask the Service User.  There are a large number of languages and dialects used in Glasgow and people can not necessarily read the same language they speak.  Ask the Service User for their personal language preferences.

Suggested request templates available at end of this section

Procurement

If an individual requirement is less than £10,000, it can be sourced at the discretion of the individual. For anything between that and £50,000 it would be a request to Corporate Procurement Unit (CPU) for a quick quote. Guidance for this is available on the CPU intranet pages here.

Finance

Responsibility for providing an interpreter or translation is with the council family and not the Service User.  Interpreting and translation services should be paid from responsible programme or Service budgets. Steps should be taken by budget holders to make sure that appropriate funding is available for these services.

Potential Suppliers

It should be noted that this is not a definitive list of suppliers and represents the first and second preference as identified through the Scottish Government Language Framework. Alternative suppliers can be contacted.

Suggested Request Templates

Interpreter:

Translation: