If your business is going international or you do a great deal of customer service, you will probably need foreign language interpretation at some point. Interpreters can help make your business more profitable by enabling you to work with a larger range of people. In addition, interpreters help ensure the information you need to convey is properly conveyed.

There are many ways to find an interpreter and ensure they’re not making mistakes in the translation process. Poor interpreters may jettison your international goals or even your business before you even get going. If you’re looking to hire an interpreter here are the things you’re most concerned with:

1. Making sure you have reliable interpreters.

2. Finding interpreters for the languages you need.

3. Ensuring your business grows with interpretation services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an interpretation company

An interpretation agency is a great way to find an interpreter. Rates for interpretation services are standard, based on your needs. Most of the time the interpreters have certification. In addition, they may be experts in your business's field. An agency may also help you find multiple interpreters or multilingual interpreters.

I recommend: If you’re in the Washington area, try the Language Exchange Inc. If you are looking for a national interpreter agency, try Bangor Interpreting Agency, which offers interpretation services for 15 major languages, including sign language.

Find a freelance language interpreter

If you don't want to go with an agency, you can use a freelance interpreter. A freelance interpreter may cost a little less than an agency. In general, agencies are little more professional than a freelance interpreter, but may not have the personal touch a freelance interpreter can provide. You can also specifically choose your interpreter, not be limited to the one the agency chooses to send to you.

I recommend: Go to the American Translators Association Translation Services to find a freelancer in your area. See Language123 for an interactive database of freelance intepreters.

Learn more about certified interpreters

Interpreter certification isn't mandatory in any state at this time. However, making sure your interpreter has certification may cut down on translation errors. While translation errors are usually small and reversible, in some cases (as in medical situations) they can become serious. There's a wide range of companies, colleges and even states that certify interpreters in various languages, including sign language. You can even find certifications tailored for fields such as legal or medical businesses.

I recommend: Go to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Inc (RID) for more information about certification requirements for sign language interpreters. If you're looking for more information about court intepreter certification, go to the National Center for State Courts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider finding a translator interpreter who specializes in your business's field. For example, medical interpreters are very different from legal interpreters in what they need to know.