Many organizations rely on bilingual employees to bridge language gaps. Their skills are valuable — but speaking two languages doesn’t automatically make someone an interpreter. Understanding the difference protects the people you serve and your organization.
What makes an interpreter “qualified”?
A qualified interpreter has demonstrated proficiency in both languages, and the ability to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, using any necessary specialized vocabulary, while adhering to interpreter ethics such as confidentiality.
- Accuracy and completeness: conveying everything said, without adding, omitting or softening.
- Mode mastery: consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation.
- Terminology: medical, legal or technical vocabulary in both languages.
- Ethics: impartiality, confidentiality, role boundaries and cultural brokering when appropriate.
The risks of untested interpreting
Studies of medical interpreting have found that ad hoc interpreters — family members or untrained staff — make significantly more errors with potential clinical consequences than professional interpreters. Errors of omission, false fluency and editorializing are common when well-meaning bilinguals step outside their training.
A safe, practical model
- Test bilingual staff who communicate directly with clients in another language.
- Distinguish roles: a bilingual provider speaking directly with a patient differs from staff acting as an interpreter for someone else.
- Train dual-role interpreters in ethics, protocols and terminology.
- Back them up with on-demand professional interpreters for high-stakes encounters and other languages.
Rehoboth offers bilingual staff proficiency testing and interpreter training, plus 24/7 professional interpreters when you need them.