One of the biggest challenges for every professional is the ability to accurately communicate thoughts, actions or directives to others. In fact, the illusion that accurate communication has taken place is the cause for the majority of problems that occur in all organizations.

Now, imagine if you spoke a different language than the person you're attempting to communicate with. In an ever changing and ever shrinking world we live and work in, the ability to accurately interpret what is being said, verbally and non-verbally, is more important than ever. This is especially true for those who work in sensitive and life altering industries, such as law enforcement and medicine.

It's Not Enough To Know a Language

In every industry, particularly those that require regular interaction between different cultures and languages, there are professionals that organizations employ that know enough to get through a basic conversation with someone who speaks another language. It is here that organizations leave themselves liable to not only lawsuits in the millions of dollars, but in many industries a disconnect in communication can lead to potentially life threatening outcomes. Don’t let this happen to your company.

Interpreters provide oral translations, often consecutive or simultaneous to the moment of speech. Just as it is when words are being translated, interpretation is not just an ability to understand and speak two languages; it is the ability to possess a solid foundation at native or native-like levels in the two languages involved.

This foundation includes such elements as a wide range of vocabulary, awareness of idiomatic language, an ability to choose the right word or phrase when multiple meanings are involved, an awareness of dialect differences, and possessing exceptional listening skills.