CILISAT - Community Interpreter Language and Interpreting Skills Assessment Tools Managing the Interpreting Session Questions and Answers

Question 1

An interpreter is facilitating a session between a service provider and a client.
To best promote direct communication and maintain the proper professional role, where should the interpreter position themselves?

Accepted Answer

Slightly behind and to the side of the client or provider.

Answer

Directly between the provider and the client to easily hear both.

Answer

At the head of the table to demonstrate control of the session.

Answer

As far away as possible to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of conducting a 'pre-session' or briefing before the client enters the room?

Accepted Answer

To establish communication protocols and clarify the purpose of the meeting.

Answer

To build a personal friendship with the service provider.

Answer

To review the client's confidential file and form a personal opinion.

Answer

To determine the payment method and negotiate the fee for the session.

Question 3

During a session at a community health clinic, the service provider and the client begin speaking very quickly and talking over one another. What is the interpreter's most appropriate action to manage the flow of communication?

Accepted Answer

Intervene calmly, using a hand gesture or a brief statement, to ask both parties to pause and speak one at a time.

Answer

Interpret only what the service provider says, as they are the authority.

Answer

Stop the session and leave, as the environment is unprofessional.

Answer

Choose the most important parts of the conversation to interpret.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key reason for an interpreter to conduct a debriefing with the service provider after a session has concluded?

Accepted Answer

To process any emotionally difficult content and clarify any cultural or linguistic misunderstandings that arose.

Answer

To give their personal opinion on the client's situation and decisions.

Answer

To ensure they can book future appointments directly with the provider.

Answer

To share confidential information about the client that was not mentioned during the session.

Question 5

An interpreter is asked to assist a client in filling out a complex financial assistance application form by writing the answers for them. According to professional standards, how should the interpreter manage this request?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to write on the form, but interpret the questions for the client so they can fill it out themselves.

Answer

Agree to fill out the form to be as helpful as possible to the client.

Answer

Fill out the form but charge the client an extra fee for the administrative task.

Answer

Ask the service provider to fill out the form for the client while the interpreter watches.

Question 6

During a parent-teacher conference, the teacher uses an educational acronym that the interpreter is not familiar with. The interpreter's best strategy to manage this situation is to:

Accepted Answer

Interrupt the session momentarily to ask the teacher to clarify the meaning of the acronym.

Answer

Guess the meaning of the acronym based on the context to avoid interruption.

Answer

Omit the acronym from the interpretation and hope it is not important.

Answer

Make a note to look up the acronym after the session has ended.