Interpreter

Interpreters are intensely skilled linguists focusing on the spoken word. They convert spoken statements from one language into another, enabling people who do not share a common language to communicate effectively. Conference interpreters work in large, formal gatherings for organisations like the United Nations or the European Union. They often sit in a soundproof booth, listening through headphones to speeches in the source language and immediately interpreting straight into the target language.

Individual interpreters are more often used at smaller meetings, with the interpreter standing or sitting next to the target language individual and interpreting, often in a whisper, as the other person is speaking.

In addition to linguistic skills, interpreters often need specialised vocabulary and knowledge related to whatever political, commercial, technical, legal or cultural issues are being discussed.

Entry level
You would normally need a degree in languages or in translation and interpreting, or one combining languages with a subject such as business, law or engineering. You may also have to obtain a postgraduate interpreting qualification, and you would almost certainly find it valuable to spend some time living and working in another country in order to gain experience and learn about the culture.

Most international organisations would require you to be fluent in two or three languages besides English. These would have to be both relevant to the work of the organisation and recognised as official, such as Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish for the United Nations or the languages of the member states in the European Union. In the business world, there is also demand for Japanese and Chinese.

Making the grade
To develop your career, you would normally join one or more of the professional bodies: the Institute of Linguists, the Institute of Translation and Interpreting or the International Association of Conference Interpreters. Membership requirements are demanding and include evidence that you already have experience of a certain number of days' work in interpreting.

The professional bodies offer exams at several levels for qualifications to validate your skills, while the National Centre for Languages has developed a Level 5 National and Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ) to show competence in a range of language skills. For the latter, you would compile a portfolio of evidence, translated documents and recordings of interpreting in progress in the course of your normal work.

Personal qualities
It goes without saying that you must have a sound command of all the languages you intend to work in, together with an understanding of their cultural background. You must be able to convey all the subtleties of the spoken word, including jokes, colloquialisms and tone of voice, and be able to paraphrase instantly when there is no exact equivalent phrase.

You need an alert and inquisitive mind, ever ready to research a new topic and its associated vocabulary before - and even sometimes during - a specialised conference or meeting.

You must also have a clear speaking voice and must not be shy of speaking in public. The pressure of having to speak quickly and accurately, in close contact with colleagues and clients, can be highly stressful, so you need to keep yourself in reasonably good health. Knowing that a simple memory lapse or slip of the tongue could have serious diplomatic or commercial repercussions, you would have to maintain intense powers of concentration.

Looking ahead
With around 1,000 UK-based interpreters in full-time posts and a further 2,500 working freelance, the limited number of openings and the intense competition make this a difficult profession in which to succeed. Starting up is not easy and it can take several years to establish your reputation and build up a network of contacts. Even some well-established interpreters find it necessary to have a second earning activity, such as translating or language teaching.

If you opt for employment with an organisation such as the United Nations, the European Union or a government department such as the Foreign Office, you should have a graded career structure with opportunities for promotion depending on your age, experience and special attributes and qualifications. Promotion would be to senior interpreter or head of department. A similar system operates in large international companies where a number of interpreters are employed.

Public service interpreting may offer some scope for working in local government offices, hospitals, immigration centres, law courts, prisons and factories.

Alternative suggestions
If you like the idea of using language skills in your work, you might also consider training as a diplomat, secretary linguist, teacher/lecturer, technical author, translator, tour operator or travel courier.

Take-home pay
A recently qualified graduate interpreter in full-time employment can earn around £35,000, rising by increments to £50,000. On promotion to a higher grade, you could earn over £70,000.

Your annual income as a freelance interpreter would vary enormously, depending upon the rate agreed with clients and agencies and the number of engagements you obtain. Freelance conference interpreters can expect to earn between £250 and £450 per day, while public service interpreters usually command around £200 per day.

Effects
This is rarely a suitable choice of profession for someone wanting a quiet life at home. You may find that you have to be available for conferences, meetings or interviews involving evening or weekend work, and you could be asked to undertake emergency work at short notice.

Sources of information
European Commission Recruitment Unit: europa.eu/epso/index_en
Institute of Linguists: www.iol.org.uk
Institute of Translation and Interpreting: www.iti.org.uk
International Association of Conference Interpreters: www.aiic.net
National Centre for Languages: www.cilt.org.uk
United Nations: www.un.org

CRCI: K