What are the best practices for switching roles and taking breaks in a team of interpreters?

1 Plan ahead

Before the assignment, discuss with your partner or team how you will divide the work, how often you will switch, and how you will signal each other. Agree on the terminology, style, and register you will use, and review the background material and glossaries. Also, check the equipment, the booth, and the sound quality, and make sure you have enough water, snacks, and other essentials.

2 Communicate clearly

During the assignment, communicate with your partner or team in a clear, discreet, and respectful way. Use a simple system of gestures, notes, or cues to indicate when you are ready to switch, when you need help, or when you encounter a problem. Avoid talking over each other or interrupting the speaker or the audience. If you have to correct a mistake, do it quickly and politely.

3 Switch smoothly

Switching roles should be done smoothly and seamlessly, without disrupting the flow of the interpretation or the communication. Ideally, switch at a natural pause or a change of topic, and avoid cutting off a sentence or a complex idea. Make eye contact with your partner or team before and after switching, and acknowledge their work with a nod or a smile. Adjust your volume, speed, and tone to match the previous interpreter and the speaker.

4 Take breaks

Taking breaks is essential for maintaining your mental and physical health, as well as your quality of interpretation. Breaks should be planned in advance, according to the length and difficulty of the assignment, and the preferences of the interpreters. Breaks should be long enough to allow you to rest, hydrate, eat, stretch, and relax, but not too long to lose your focus or your connection with the speaker and the audience. Breaks should also be taken in a quiet and comfortable place, away from distractions and noise.

5 Monitor yourself

Monitoring yourself is another important aspect of switching roles and taking breaks in a team of interpreters. You should be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, your level of energy and fatigue, and your areas of improvement. You should also be open to feedback, suggestions, and support from your partner or team, and offer the same to them. Monitoring yourself can help you improve your performance, avoid burnout, and enhance your teamwork skills.

6 Learn from others

Finally, learning from others can help you develop your best practices for switching roles and taking breaks in a team of interpreters. You can observe how other interpreters work together, exchange tips and advice, and join professional associations and networks. You can also seek mentoring, coaching, or training from experienced interpreters, or participate in peer review or quality assessment programs. Learning from others can help you expand your knowledge, skills, and confidence as an interpreter.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?