Interpreting

AIWA’s interpreter base covers the entire state of WA. from Kununurra in the north-east, Pilbara, Goldfields through to the Western Desert and South West. AIWA’s interpreters reside in remote communities, towns and the metropolitan region. AIWA services are delivered in line with the AUSIT National Standard code of ethics which requires interpreters to:

AIWA’s interpreter base covers the entire state of WA. from Kununurra in the north-east, Pilbara, Goldfields through to the Western Desert and South West. AIWA’s interpreters reside in remote communities, towns and the metropolitan region. AIWA services are delivered in line with the AUSIT National Standard code of ethics which requires interpreters to:

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Interpret accurately –
omitting or adding nothing

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Maintain Strict
Confidentiality

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Maintain Impartiality
and Objectivity

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Act Professionally
at All Times.

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Interpret accurately –
omitting or adding nothing

Interpret accurately –
omitting or adding nothing

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Maintain Strict
Confidentiality

Maintain Strict
Confidentiality

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Act Professionally
at All Times.

Act Professionally
at All Times.

icon-interpreter - Aboriginal Interpreting WA

Maintain Impartiality
and Objectivity

Maintain Impartiality
and Objectivity

AIWA interpreters are trained to interpret between Western concepts and technical words across all fields of government and community services. They are supported through training and mentoring and have access to culturally appropriate debriefing and counselling.

The benefits of working with interpreters:

  • Recognition and respect – shows recognition and respect for the language/s community, and by extension shows respect for local identity and culture.
  • Learning new ideas – allows participants to absorb new information in their first language. Even participants with strong English will benefit from hearing the message twice; once in English and once in their first language. Hearing the message in two languages will allow participants to confirm that they correctly understood the English message
  • Specialised language – just because a participant has good conversational English, does not necessarily mean they have sufficient proficiency or confidence to discuss complex and technical topics, such as governance, housing, health and legal issues. It is easy to overestimate the general level of English of a group based on the input of a few vocal participants or based on introductory conversations.
  • Robust and nuanced dialogue – participants can engage in much more robust and nuanced discussion if they are able to express themselves in their first language. It is highly likely a higher level of discussion and engagement will be experienced if discussions occur in participants’ first language.
  • Equal access – allows all participants, including those who are not confident English speakers, to receive information and present their views. By keeping the discussions in English, some participants are prevented from fully engaging. Using an interpreter keeps the meeting fair and accessible to everyone. Occasionally, it is possible that some individual participants with strong English may not want discussions to be interpreted or may want the discussions to occur in English, as this provides greater control over the meeting.
  • Facilitator’s understanding – allows the facilitator to understand comments and discussions that occur in the Aboriginal language.

AIWA interpreters are trained to interpret between Western concepts and technical words across all fields of government and community services. They are supported through training and mentoring and have access to culturally appropriate debriefing and counselling.

The benefits of working with interpreters:

  • Recognition and respect – shows recognition and respect for the language/s community, and by extension shows respect for local identity and culture.
  • Learning new ideas – allows participants to absorb new information in their first language. Even participants with strong English will benefit from hearing the message twice; once in English and once in their first language. Hearing the message in two languages will allow participants to confirm that they correctly understood the English message
  • Specialised language – just because a participant has good conversational English, does not necessarily mean they have sufficient proficiency or confidence to discuss complex and technical topics, such as governance, housing, health and legal issues. It is easy to overestimate the general level of English of a group based on the input of a few vocal participants or based on introductory conversations.
  • Robust and nuanced dialogue – participants can engage in much more robust and nuanced discussion if they are able to express themselves in their first language. It is highly likely a higher level of discussion and engagement will be experienced if discussions occur in participants’ first language.
  • Equal access – allows all participants, including those who are not confident English speakers, to receive information and present their views. By keeping the discussions in English, some participants are prevented from fully engaging. Using an interpreter keeps the meeting fair and accessible to everyone. Occasionally, it is possible that some individual participants with strong English may not want discussions to be interpreted or may want the discussions to occur in English, as this provides greater control over the meeting.
  • Facilitator’s understanding – allows the facilitator to understand comments and discussions that occur in the Aboriginal language.