Working with a spoken-language interpreter

Before the conversation: specify the language, dialect, format, and any request for a gender-matched interpreter. Send materials in advance and allow enough time.

During the conversation: explain the interpreter's role, speak directly to the person in the first person, pause often, and avoid idioms. Check understanding by asking the person to describe the next step in their own words.

After the conversation: note any concerns the interpreter raised about terms or forms, and arrange for needed corrections.

For a vital conversation, use a qualified professional interpreter rather than a child, family member, untrained bilingual coworker, or machine translation.