STEP NI

Booking Procedures

Booking an interpreter

Fax your request to S.T.E.P. on (028)877 50212. Booking forms are available by telephoning (028) 877 50213 or download one from the "Booking Form" section

Try to allow at least three working days prior to the appointment date. This increases the chances of getting an interpreter and allows preparation for the interview e.g. researching specialised vocabulary.

We will normally confirm the attendance of an interpreter within 24 hours or will contact you if we are unable to assist.

Please confirm the appointment time with the client to avoid missed appointments and cancellations. Where possible, please ensure the client needing the interpreter is seen as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary costs.

Follow-up appintments

You may make arrangements with the client and interpreter at the end of an appointment for any follow-up appointments. This is a provisional arrangement. You must then complete a booking form and send it to S.T.E.P. for each appointment.

Cancellations

A notice of 36 hours prior to the appointment must be given, otherwise the minimum fee is charged. Travel expenses may be added to this fee if the interpreter is already on their way to the meeting point

Missed appointments

The interpreter will wait up to 30 minutes from the appointed time. S.T.E.P. will charge the minimum fee and the interpreter’s travel expenses

Complaints

A complaints card is available for users of the service. Details of complaints/feedback or suggestions should be written on the complaints card and forwarded to the Interpreter Services Co-ordinator who will contact the service user within 48 hours to discuss the specific issue and necessary actions.

NB: Talk to the Co-ordinator if you do not wish to have the same interpreter again and another interpreter may be arranged.

 
 
 
Guidelines for working with an interpreter
 
1) Pre-session
Suggested seating arrangement:
  • Sit opposite the client with the interpreter at the client’s side, or
  • In a circle where more people are involved
2) During the session
  • Speak and look at the client not the interpreter. This often does not come naturally. It is better to speak directly e.g. “How are you today?” rather than “How is he feeling today?” as this is time-consuming and reduces directness.
  • Use short sentences and avoid ambiguous or complex grammar
  • It will greatly help if you avoid slang and jargon and allow the interpreter to speak when you have completed one, two or three sentences to encapsulate a section of your message
  • Take extra care in explaining regulations and reasons for asking for certain types of information
  • Moderate the speed of speech
  • Summarise and check what you have understood
  • Allow the interpreter time to intervene where necessary
  • Be sensitive to the demands and pressures on the interpreter. Interpreting requires enormous concentration, especially liaison interpreting where the interpreter has to switch constantly between languages. It will be even more demanding if the     circumstances are sensitive or stressful.
  • Do not expect interpreters to keep going indefinitely; they may need a break halfway or to continue at another appointment

 3) Post session

Thank you for following the guidelines; by doing so you will ensure that the process will be much more efficient and effective. If you do have any problems with the interpretation session, do not hesitate to fill out a complaint card (available in the Interpreter Services pack) and forward it to the Interpreter Services Co-ordinator.

Price lists

Contact S.T.E.P. Interpreter & Translation Services for a full price list