This resource is designed to help you understand the role of interpreters, and to help you explain this to both them and the refugees you are supporting. It explains what an interpreter should and should not do, and some of the challenges that you and they will face when working with newly arrived refugees, such as maintaining…
Articles tagged with: Interpreting
Tips for using Google Translate effectively
Part of your Sponsor Requirements in supporting a resettled family is to provide interpretation support for the language spoken by the family for their first year in the UK. Community Sponsorship groups use professional in-person interpreters, telephone interpreters, volunteers or even bilingual group members to meet this requirement. However, many groups have found that after…
Briefing and debriefing interpreters
Preparing interpreters for the likely content of an appointment will help them do their job to the best of their ability. It can help them prepare for the language that is likely to be used, and give them context which will help them to interpret words accurately. It is also useful to allow time after the…
Common Arabic words and phrases
When the family you support first arrives in the UK, it’s unlikely that they will speak English well enough to communicate with your Community Sponsorship Group without an interpreter present. Although working with interpreters, especially in the early days, will be key in supporting the family to access essential services and learn new things about…
Communicating with a family following arrival
Community Sponsorship is all about communication, whether between you as a group or you and the family you support. Ensure a strong structure is in place at the outset following arrival and regularly review if this is working. Make sure you have regular communication between your core group members ahead of the family arriving and in…
Interpreting options
There are various different ways you can work with interpreters. You could work with paid, volunteer or bilingual volunteers (who work with the family in their own language, and also interpret when required). They could carry out their interpreting either face to face or over the phone. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the interpreter you work…
Supporting non-Arabic speaking refugees
The start of UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) means that we will see refugees resettled from a broader range of countries and nationalities and will likely speak languages other than Arabic. In this resource we look at what this means for Groups who are writing their applications now and we will…