It is important for the wider community to understand the skills required to be an NRCPD/SASLI interpreter or translator and to understand the professional standards and boundaries that a NRCPD/SASLI registered interpreters and translators are required to maintain.
Consequently, ASLI believes that only NRCPD/SASLI registered interpreters should be engaged for the provision of BSL/English interpreting services.
For an interpreter to practice effectively, they must have proven abilities of:
- having fluency in at least two languages
- an understanding of how to transfer the meaning between two languages in
- a culturally appropriate manner,
- a capacity to rapidly deconstruct the words/signs of the first (or source) language to extract the meaning and then equally as rapidly re-build that meaning in the second (or target) language in a grammatically and structurally correct dynamic equivalence, and
- the capacity to exert extreme concentration in order to harness the cognitive skills that are required to produce the interpretation in real-time, almost simultaneously.
NRCPD/SASLI registered interpreters and translators have attained the minimum standard expected for BSL/English interpreters in the UK, hold a current enhanced DBS/CRB certificate which is available on request, are committed to continuous professional development, adhere to the NRCPD/SASLI professional code of conduct and comply with an official complaints procedure.
The NRCPD/SASLI code of conduct requires interpreters and translators to facilitate communication faithfully and impartially, maintaining strict confidentiality.
In contrast, when the family or friends of a deaf person are used to interpret for them, they will not have the same level of training, qualification or work within an ethical framework.
Booking an NRCPD/SASLI registered interpreter ensures effective communication and a specific standard and quality of service. Where interpreters are also members of ASLI, consumers can be confident that the interpreter has access to current developments within the profession, is encouraged to reflect upon their professional practice and engages in the evolution of the profession.
Register checks can be performed online at www.nrcpd.org.uk.