“Getting By”: Risks of Using Unqualified Bilingual Staff for Community Interpreting

When faced with a patient who speaks little English or a client from another country, many organizations resort to whoever “knows a bit” of the needed language—whether it’s a staff member, friend, or relative. On the surface, this might seem quick and cost-effective, but the hidden risks can be considerable. A seemingly simple mistranslation can cause serious healthcare mishaps, derail a crucial legal case, or sabotage an international business deal. This post explores why relying on untrained bilinguals can backfire—and how professional interpreters offer the expertise, ethics, and accuracy essential for clear, dependable communication.

Common Situations Where Organizations “Get By”

Despite the clear advantages of professional interpreters, many organizations still choose to rely on staff members or acquaintances who speak a second language. While this may appear convenient or cost-saving in the short term, it often introduces risks that become painfully evident down the line. Below are a few common scenarios where businesses, nonprofits, or public agencies might “get by” without professional language support:

1. Healthcare Reception and Appointments
   In medical clinics or hospital settings, it’s not unusual for a bilingual staff member—like a receptionist or nursing assistant—to assist during patient check-ins or consultations. Sometimes, a family member steps in to interpret a physician’s instructions. Though both options spare the facility from scheduling a professional interpreter, any misinterpretation of symptoms, dosages, or treatment plans can jeopardize patient health. Additionally, sensitive information may be divulged inappropriately when privacy rules aren’t fully understood by amateur interpreters.
2. Legal and Courtroom Situations
   From police interviews to minor traffic court proceedings, bilingual volunteers or friends are often asked to interpret. However, they may not be familiar with legal terminology or processes, increasing the possibility of critical misunderstandings. These oversights can shape testimonies, influence judgments, or complicate the legal outcomes—particularly when impartiality or confidentiality is compromised.
3. Business Meetings and Workplace Interactions
   In corporate environments, a bilingual employee might be called upon to interpret at an impromptu meeting or to host visiting clients from overseas. While this might bridge an immediate communication gap, it doesn’t guarantee accurate conveyance of technical specifications, contractual details, or cultural nuances. Mistakes here can lead to anything from project delays to mistrust between partners or teams, significantly impacting revenue and reputations in the long run.

Risks of Relying on Unqualified Bilingual Staff

Even the most well-intentioned coworker or family member can introduce significant hazards when stepping into an interpreting role without proper training. Because they lack formal guidance on ethical standards, specialized terminology, and best practices, these ad hoc interpreters can unwittingly create confusion or distort the conversation. Below are some key risks:

1. Accuracy Concerns
   • Missing or Misreading Key Terms: Without a solid understanding of the specific lexicon—legal, medical, or technical—non-professional interpreters may skip or approximate crucial words. In a healthcare setting, for instance, this might mean a patient doesn’t fully grasp dosage instructions or symptom descriptions.
   • Overlooking Cultural Context: Idioms, slang, and cultural references often don’t translate directly. An untrained bilingual might apply literal translations, losing nuance or unintentionally offending the other party.
2. Ethical and Confidentiality Breaches
   • Sensitive Information at Risk: Non-professionals typically haven’t studied confidentiality protocols or signed formal agreements, making it easier for protected information to leak.
   • Potential for Personal Bias: If the interpreter has a stake in the outcome—such as a family member or close friend—there’s a real chance their translations will reflect personal opinions or intentions rather than the original speaker’s words.
3. Lack of Professionalism and Impartiality
• Power Imbalances: In legal or administrative matters, an acquaintance might side with one party, consciously or not. This undermines trust in the process and can produce unfair results.
• Inconsistent Performance: Skilled interpreters maintain composure under stress, but a relative or coworker may become flustered by quick back-and-forths, tense discussions, or emotional topics.

When high-stakes information is at play—whether it’s someone’s health, legal status, or financial interest—relying on an amateur interpreter puts both parties at risk. Small misunderstandings can accumulate, leading to serious consequences, from compliance violations to potential harm or liability.

What Professional Interpreters Bring

Recognizing the pitfalls of relying on untrained bilinguals underscores the value that professional interpreters provide. Far beyond simple fluency in two languages, these specialists undergo rigorous training, adhere to ethical standards, and refine their craft to ensure that communication remains accurate and unbiased. Below are some of the key benefits they bring to the table:

1. Expert Training in Language and Terminology
   • Medical, Legal, and Technical Mastery: Whether it’s deciphering complex healthcare jargon or parsing legal codes, certified interpreters maintain up-to-date knowledge in their areas of expertise.
   • Continuing Education: Many professional interpreters pursue ongoing coursework or certifications, meaning they stay current on evolving regulations and best practices in their fields.
2. Neutrality and Ethical Conduct
   • Commitment to Confidentiality: Professional interpreters sign formal agreements and often follow codes of ethics that emphasize client privacy. This helps preserve trust and adheres to regulatory requirements in settings like healthcare or law.
   • Objective Delivery: Unlike relatives or acquaintances, interpreters avoid inserting personal opinions, skipping content, or softening challenging information. Their role is to convey meaning accurately, regardless of the emotional tenor or personal relationships.
3. Refined Techniques for Clarity
   • Skilled in Multiple Interpreting Modes: From consecutive to simultaneous interpreting, they can adapt to various scenarios—think large conferences, intimate medical consultations, or courtroom proceedings—without losing context.
   • Nuanced Cultural Awareness: When subtle cultural references or idiomatic phrases arise, professional interpreters can bridge those gaps, helping all parties feel understood.
4. Efficiency and Assurance
• Reduced Miscommunication: Hiring a professional cuts down on repeated conversations or follow-up clarifications. This can save valuable time and resources over the long run.
• Credibility: In high-stakes environments—such as courtrooms or major business presentations—a qualified interpreter lends an air of professionalism and integrity that makes stakeholders more confident in the exchange.

In short, professional interpreters offer more than language fluency: they serve as impartial communication experts. By combining specialized knowledge with ethical rigor, they help organizations and individuals navigate critical interactions without the risks posed by makeshift or informal language assistance.

How it Can All Go Wrong: Stories to Avoid Emulating

While the dangers of using untrained interpreters might seem abstract, real-world examples underscore how a single misstep in communication can have profound consequences. These examples illustrate the tangible fallout of “getting by” with non-professionals—and how professional interpreters can prevent such crises.

1. Medical Mix-Up Leading to Serious Complications
   A major hospital once relied on a relative to interpret for a patient’s discharge instructions. The instructions, which included a detailed medication regimen, were partially misunderstood. The patient took the wrong dose for several days, leading to a severe adverse reaction and an extended hospital readmission. Subsequent reviews showed that had a certified medical interpreter been present, the patient would have received clear guidelines—and avoided the complications.
2. Botched Legal Deposition Resulting in Appeals
   In a legal deposition involving property rights, the parties decided to use a bilingual family friend as an interpreter to keep costs down. Midway through questioning, it became obvious that key terms related to ownership and zoning were being misunderstood. By the time the mistake came to light, the record was muddled. The deposition had to be rescheduled with a court-certified interpreter, and both sides faced delays and extra legal fees—not to mention the confusion and frustration from all involved.
3. Business Deal Falling Through Over Cultural Nuances
   A mid-sized tech company invited a potential international partner for negotiations. The bilingual sales manager stepped in to handle interpreting on top of their usual duties. Jargon-heavy discussions about data security protocols led to missed subtleties, and the overseas partner felt the company wasn’t communicating clearly or respecting local requirements. Talks collapsed before a formal proposal was ever signed. Post-mortem feedback indicated that a dedicated interpreter with relevant technical knowledge might have salvaged the partnership.

How to Transition to Professional Interpreters

Recognizing the pitfalls of “getting by” is the first step—implementing a sustainable solution is the next. Transitioning to certified interpreters doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially if you approach the change systematically. Below are some actionable steps to help organizations of all sizes adopt professional language services.

1. Establish a Language Access Policy
   • Identify Critical Interactions: Pinpoint when and where in your workflows language barriers are most likely to arise—whether it’s patient intake, business negotiations, or legal proceedings.
   • Set Clear Guidelines: Write a policy that details how to request an interpreter, preferred vendors, and who has the authority to schedule or approve services.
   • Communicate Internally: Share this policy with all employees so they understand the benefits of professional interpreting and know how to initiate it.
2. Evaluate Potential Providers
   • Credentials and Experience: Look for interpreters or agencies certified in the fields you need, such as healthcare or legal. Ask about ongoing training and references from previous clients.
   • Language Coverage: If you serve populations speaking rare languages, confirm your provider has the capacity to meet those requests.
   • Technology and Accessibility: Ensure the service offers telephone or video interpretation options if on-site interpreters aren’t always feasible.
3. Budget and Cost Analysis
   • Compare Short-Term vs. Long-Term Costs: While a qualified interpreter might appear more expensive than an untrained volunteer, it often cuts down on costly misunderstandings, legal fees, or redo work.
   • Billing Models: Different providers charge by the hour, by the minute (for phone or video), or on a project basis. Clarify the pricing structure to align with your projected usage.
4. Pilot Program and Staff Training
   • Test in High-Volume Departments: Roll out professional interpreting in areas like admissions, customer service, or legal intake, where language barriers frequently arise. Collect early feedback to refine processes before expanding.
   • Train Employees on When (and How) to Use Interpreters: Familiarize staff with booking protocols, potential wait times, and best practices for working with interpreters.
   • Encourage Feedback: Ask both staff and clients to share experiences—this helps identify which vendor or modality (on-site, phone, video) is best suited for various scenarios.
5. Review and Refine
• Ongoing Evaluation: Set up check-ins with department heads to assess how effectively interpreters are being utilized. Track metrics such as reduced complaints, fewer service delays, and overall satisfaction.
• Iterate Policy Updates: If demand shifts—for instance, a growing demographic speaking a different language—revise your language access plan accordingly.
• Share Success Stories: Highlight positive outcomes or cost savings from accurate communication, reinforcing that professional interpreters are a worthwhile, long-term investment.

By formalizing how and when your organization uses interpreters, you cultivate an environment of clarity and trust. With a well-defined process and reputable providers, the transition away from ad hoc or untrained interpreters becomes a strategic move—one that can profoundly improve interactions, reduce liabilities, and ultimately enhance the reputation of your services.

—-

Hiring anyone “who knows the language” may seem convenient in a pinch, but the risks can outweigh the benefits. Professional interpreters bring specialized training, ethical standards, and deep expertise, helping you avoid misunderstandings that could cost time, money, or even lives. By making the shift to qualified language services, organizations ensure greater accuracy, maintain confidentiality, and ultimately build trust with those they serve. Contact us to get start with professional interpretation.