When it comes to booking ASL interpreters, one question that frequently arises is: “Why do we need two interpreters?” We assure you that it is not to overcharge for services. Interpreting is a high demand job, and booking two interpreters is crucial for successful and accurate communication.

The Demands of Interpreting

Interpreting is an intense and demanding profession that requires a high level of concentration, mental agility, and linguistic proficiency. Interpreters must listen to the source language, process the information, and then accurately convey it in the target language in real time. This complex process leaves little room for error and demands continuous focus and cognitive effort.

What Is Interpreter Fatigue?

Interpreter fatigue is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that interpreters experience due to prolonged periods of intense concentration. Research shows that interpreter fatigue usually happens after 20-45 minutes of continuous interpreting. Interpreter fatigue leads to errors in the interpretation.

Repetitive Motion and Risk of Injury

Interpreters often perform repetitive motions, such as signing or speaking, for extended periods. This can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) affecting the hands, wrists, shoulders, and vocal cords. RSIs can cause chronic pain and long-term damage, severely impacting an interpreter’s ability to work. By rotating shifts between two interpreters, the risk of such injuries is significantly reduced, promoting a healthier and more sustainable working environment.

The Case for Two Interpreters

1. Ensuring Consistency: Fatigue impacts not just the interpreter’s ability to think clearly but also their consistency in conveying information. A fresh interpreter can maintain the consistency and coherence of the interpreted message, ensuring that nothing is lost or miscommunicated.
2. Support Role of the Second Interpreter: The support interpreter plays a crucial role beyond just resting. They offer logistical help, catch missed information, provide vocabulary assistance, and clarify misunderstood cues. This support ensures that the interpretation remains accurate and comprehensive.
3. Increases Interpreter Stamina: Mentally and physically, two interpreters can sustain high performance levels for longer periods. Alternating shifts reduces the strain on each interpreter, ensuring they remain sharp and effective.
4. Minimizes Omissions and Mistakes: With two interpreters, the likelihood of omissions and errors decreases significantly. The support interpreter can step in to correct or fill in gaps, ensuring that the interpreted message remains complete and accurate.
5. Accountability: Having two interpreters ensures a higher level of accountability in the interpretation process. Each interpreter can cross-check and verify the other’s work, leading to a more reliable and trustworthy interpretation.

When Are Two Interpreters Needed?

1. Assignments Over 1.5 Hours: As a general rule of thumb, any assignment lasting 1.5 hours or more, a team of two interpreters is necessary.
2. Continuous Talking in Shorter Assignments: Some assignments, even if shorter than 1.5 hours, that are continuous talking require a team of two interpreters. Examples include training, webinars, and staff meetings.
3. Specialized Jargon, Terminology, and Pace of the speaker: Shorter assignments that include specific jargon, highly specialized terminology, or fast paced, such as college classes, sometimes require two interpreters.
4. Exceptions: There are exceptions to the rule where longer assignments might not need two interpreters. These typically include scenarios with ample breaks and downtime, such as a football practice or on-the-job training where instructions are given initially, followed by periods of independent work and occasional questions. Furthermore, two interpreters are often not used in K-12 education or medical hospital shifts where the nature of the assignments allows for more natural breaks.

Teamwork in Other Professions

The concept of working in teams to avoid fatigue and ensure quality is not unique to interpreting. Here are some examples from other professions where teamwork is essential:

1. Pilots: In aviation, long-haul flights always have multiple pilots who take turns to ensure that each one is well-rested and alert. This practice is crucial for maintaining the safety and security of the flight.
2. Medical Professionals: Surgeons often work in teams, especially during long and complex surgeries. This ensures that the patient receives the best care possible, with each surgeon being able to perform at their peak without fatigue affecting their performance.
3. Emergency Responders: Firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency responders work in shifts to handle long and demanding situations. This rotation is essential to ensure they remain effective and responsive during critical moments.
4. Sports Teams: Athletes, especially in team sports, rely on substitutions and rotations to maintain peak performance levels. Continuous play without breaks would lead to decreased performance and higher risk of injury.

Conclusion

While it might seem cost-effective or simpler to request only one interpreter, booking two interpreters ensures the highest level of accuracy, consistency, and professionalism, safeguarding the quality of communication and the well-being of the interpreters. Just as other high-stakes professions rely on teamwork to avoid fatigue and maintain excellence, so too should interpreting assignments. Understanding and respecting these needs will lead to more successful and effective outcomes for all parties involved.