Each day in the life of an interpreter is a unique journey through languages, cultures, and ideas. It’s a role that demands linguistic prowess and an empathetic understanding of context and culture.
In this blog, we’re going to step into the shoes of an interpreter, and take a look at their daily routines. If you are interested in this career, we want to help you find the right position for you.
To start, there are four most common types of interpreting you should know of: freelance, K-12 and Post-secondary, Video Remote/Video Relay, or a specialized technical translation for engineering. Each interpreting jobs and their days are unique, so let’s peek behind the curtain of each!
Freelance Interpreters
For freelance interpreters, each day is different. A typical day could start with a medical appointment, where the interpreter plays a crucial role in interpreting an annual checkup. Then their next appointment might be in a corporate office to interpret during a large company training session. Then they might run to a parent-teacher conference where they help break down barriers for parents.
Each assignment is unique, and freelance interpreters thrive on this lifestyle.
For this type of interpreter summers and holiday breaks are typically less busy. Which means they need to be adept at managing their workload and their finances through busy periods and slow periods of work.
And often, many freelance interpreters have a trunk filled with clothes. They essentially carry a closet on wheels because their dress needs will likely change depending on their assignment. Because of how much they travel, they might not be able to run home to change, so they keep a few different outfits on hand so they are always dressed and ready for the job.
Overall this type of interpretation requires you to enjoy managing yourself and getting to experience different settings and different topics each day. It gives you a bit more freedom than you would have in a large interpreting agency, but it also can be a bit more challenging because you are in charge of finding your contracts and relationships with agencies or companies!
But for those who thrive in dynamic settings, freelance interpreting is a great option.
K12 Interpreters
K-12 interpreters break language barriers for many children in the school system. And they get the added benefit of having a steady routine for work.
The day for a K-12 interpreter typically begins when school starts at 8 AM. Unlike their freelance counterparts, their schedule aligns with the schools, providing a predictable and structured work environment and summers off!
Within the walls of the school, K-12 interpreters are collaborators with teachers, principals, and a myriad of school staff. They work closely with these educators, forming bonds and understanding the nuances of each academic setting. And they might even be assigned to specific classrooms or work with specific children repeatedly, so they have the opportunity to form a bond with them and help them succeed in school.
In this role, interpreters play a crucial part in ensuring that every student, regardless of their language proficiency, has equal access to education and opportunities to succeed.
In this interpreting role, you are a part of a community who are all focused on the betterment of the student body. Your work is at the same time and place each day, and you will likely see the impact of your work first hand as students learn. For those who find joy in the rhythm of routine and the rewards of educational involvement, K-12 interpreting is the perfect path.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Video Relay Services (VRS)
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Video Relay Services (VRS) represent the digital frontier.
These roles are a fusion of technology and linguistics, where interpreters connect people from the comfort of a desk and a screen.
With VRI work, much like freelancing work, every day is different. One minute you might be helping a grandma chat with her grandkids, the next you could be in the middle of a lawyer’s meeting, and then maybe even helping someone talk to the IRS or at the post office. It’s never boring because every call is a new adventure. But, the difference is you aren’t traveling in person to these different locations. You are interpreting on a video call right from your home office or an interpreting agency call center!
But it’s not always easy. Imagine being on a video call with a bunch of people, all trying to talk. The VRI interpreter has to make sure everyone is understood, which can be a bit like juggling a conversation with many balls in the air—all through a screen!
And VRI interpreting breaks down the barriers of distance, making it possible for people to communicate no matter where they are. If you like the variety of different conversations, but don’t want to travel, VRI interpreting might be right for you.
Specialist Interpreters
Some topics are too technical for anyone to talk about. Think about it, if someone has an engineering degree, and you don’t, then they start talking all about their job, you might not always follow what they are saying. The same thing can happen for a doctor or a lawyer.
When this happens, a specialized interpreter is required. Someone who knows the subject matter already, and has learned how to talk about it in both languages. These professional medical interpreting services, often court-certified, Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI) or medically certified, bring a heightened level of skill and knowledge to their interpreting roles. Their work is akin to that of a freelance interpreter, yet with a distinct focus on specific, high-stakes environments.
Court-certified interpreters, for example, are the linchpins in the justice system, ensuring fair and clear communication. They navigate the legal document translation services and the high-pressure environment of courtrooms with ease, playing a critical role in upholding the principles of justice. And, medical certified document translation interpreters are the bridge between patients and healthcare professionals. Often in situations where accuracy and sensitivity are paramount, their work is a literal life saver. They ensure the patients’ concerns are heard and understood, and that medical information is conveyed accurately, respecting the nuances and confidentiality of the medical field.
These specialist interpreters might also find themselves in conference settings, handling workshops and platform presentations. Here, their role expands to a larger audience, requiring linguistic expertise and an ability to convey complex concepts clearly during a speaking event.
The work of specialist interpreters is characterized by a deep understanding of their field of specialization. It will require some travel, but it can likely be done both over video and in person. This expertise, combined with their linguistic skills, makes them invaluable in settings where precision is essential.
In Closing
Interpreters provide a huge service to many individuals and they are always needed. If you want to go into this line of work we recommend thinking deeply about each of the four roles listed above so you can find the best fit for you. If you love the idea of something new every day, and meeting different folks all the time, then you might just love being a freelance interpreter. But if you are looking for more stability, K12 interpreting might be better for you.
Either way, there are several options that can help you find the right fit. And each one of them provides essential services.
And remember, no matter what role you choose, you’ll likely wear a lot of black!
Need Interpreting?
Hands Up Communications can help. Our goal is to help you effectively communicate with the world. If you need a remote on onsite interpreter, you can schedule one here!