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Interview Considerations The Use of Interpreters Type of Interpreters and Their Pros and Cons Health and legal professionals often need interpreters to communicate with refugees and survivors of torture. Interpreters can be classified in three different categories: relatives of the victim, acquaintances of the victim or fellow citizens volunteering at community-based programs, and professional interpreters. Health and legal professionals who conduct interviews with interpreters should know the pros and the cons of each type to avoid problems during the interview (1-2). A benefit of having a relative as an interpreter is that he or she knows the client/patient well and shares the same cultural background. Relatives may also corroborate the presence or absence of symptoms, or add information relevant to the case. Nevertheless, refugees and survivors of torture often hide from relatives painful parts of their trauma in an attempt to shelter relatives from any unnecessary suffering. Clients/patients may also not disclose torture histories to family members because they feel ashamed, particularly if they have experienced sexual torture. Another problem of having relatives as interpreters is that they are the most likely to alter the patient’s testimony, perhaps because they are too familiar with the story or they may feel ashamed of repeating the story (1-2). Under no circumstances should children be used as interpreters for their relatives. We consider having children as interpreters not only unprofessional, but also unethical. Similarly, when children are the subjects of the interview, interpreters should be available for their parents or guardians, even if the children are able to speak the language of the interviewer. As with relatives, acquaintances or fellow citizens are able to interpret not only the verbal, but also the cultural language of refugees and survivors of torture. However, a major problem commonly found with this kind of interpreter is distrust. The refugee or the torture survivor may either fear that the interpreter is a government agent of his or her country of origin who is collecting information or that the interpreter may not keep the interview confidential (2). Professional interpreters offer an accurate interpretation of verbal language, though much of the cultural language may get lost if the interpreter is not acquainted with that particular culture. Other setbacks include the cost involved in hiring a professional interpreter and the lack of professional interpreters for certain languages (1-2). Rules for Interpreters and InterviewersHealth and legal professionals should debrief interpreters prior to an interview, particularly if the interpreter is a relative, an acquaintance, or a fellow citizen. First of all, interviewers should obtain an assurance from the interpreter of confidentiality. Instructions should also be given, directing interpreters to speak clearly, avoid drawing attention toward themselves during the interview, correct any mistakes, and avoid expanding or summarizing narratives (1-3). To prevent traumatization of the interpreter, it is also important to debrief the interpreter after the interview, particularly if the testimony was particularly intense. Interviewers should also follow some simple rules to avoid confusing the interpreter. For instance, interviewers should avoid long statements or questions. Interviewers should give enough time to the interpreter to translate the question to the patient and then translate his or her answer back to the interviewer (1-3).
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