Responsibilities of the Client Towards the Interpreter

Below are the key responsibilities for customers who use interpreters, drawn from ISO 18841:2018. We’ve organized this information so it’s clear and easy to read for all Tolk2Go customers and partners. At Tolk2Go, we follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth, safe, and professional interpreting experience for everyone involved.

1. Ensure Appropriate Working Conditions

These conditions may vary by assignment, but at a minimum the client should:

Provide good infrastructure and manage the flow of the conversation. The interpreter is a neutral language facilitator — nothing more, nothing less — and their sole responsibility is to interpret neutrally.
Provide a suitable working environment (quiet rooms, properly working technology, adequate ventilation).
Request the appropriate number of interpreters or teams of interpreters, based on the nature and duration of the assignment.
Whenever possible, ensure the work environment is safe so that the interpreter can work without risk to personal safety.
Allow the interpreter to leave any dangerous assignment or situation without penalty if personal safety is at stake.
Reserve adequate time for the service, keeping in mind consecutive interpreting typically takes longer than simultaneous interpreting.
Inform the interpreter of any known risks and provide written information about safety measures, procedures, and any required clothing or equipment.
Plan and provide the interpreter with appropriate breaks during the assignment.

2. Establish Clear Terms and Conditions

When an interpreter is engaged, the client should clearly establish and document the terms and conditions of the working relationship.

3. Provide Detailed Assignment Information

To ensure high-quality interpreting, the client should give the interpreter as much background information as possible about the requested service. This includes:

General information about the assignment and its level of sensitivity, including any potentially sensitive information that could be disclosed.
Any texts to be sight-translated, plus any available glossaries, speaker’s notes, and presentations to assist the interpreter in researching and preparing for the assignment.
Administrative details, such as:
- The complete address of the venue.
- The time the interpreter is expected to arrive.
- Relevant contact information.
- The date and time of any briefing meetings.

4. Pay Within the Agreed Timeframe

The client should honor payment terms in accordance with the agreement or terms of engagement established with Tolk2Go.

5. In Case of Recordings or Broadcasts

If the interpreting is to be recorded or broadcast (e.g., live streaming), the interpreter should be notified beforehand to obtain authorization and discuss any possible additional costs.

6. Understand the Nature of Interpreting Output

The client should recognize that interpreting output cannot be directly compared to a written translation or a dubbing output, due to the nature of live or real-time language rendering. The interpreter may request a disclaimer reflecting this reality.

7. Liability Considerations

Clients should exempt interpreters from any liability arising from misconstruction of content or misunderstandings, especially in situations where:

Technical conditions are not those requested by the interpreter or set out in relevant ISO standards.
Any dispute arises between the parties regarding the interpreted content where the interpreter followed professional standards and best practices.

Need More Information?

If you have further questions about working with interpreters, please visit our FAQ for Clients or contact us directly at [email protected].