Service providers, businesses and local interpreters are invited to a free seminar, ‘Working with interpreters’, organised by Settlement Support Whangarei. The seminar will be held on Wednesday 30 March, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the ASB Lounge, upstairs at the Kensington Stadium.
Updated:
18/03/2011 3:36 p.m.
“Service providers, businesses and health and disability services sometimes need an English language interpreter to help them communicate with a patient or client,” said Settlement Support Coordinator Ellen Altshuler.
“A number of services in Whangarei have already signed up to use the telephone interpreter service ‘Language Line’ run by the Office of Ethnic Affairs, but many people have had little experience working with interpreters,” Ellen Altshuler, Settlement Support coordinator.
“This seminar will give an introduction to Language Line, tips for working with interpreters and will provide an opportunity for local interpreters to network with service providers and businesses.”
Recently Emergency services have depended on Language Line to communicate with hundreds of foreign language speakers in Christchurch. Language Line is also used by Councils, PHOs, ACC, the Earthquake Commission and dozens of other agencies to ensure that speakers of other languages have access to services.
Ethical issues and challenges for interpreters working in small towns or as part of a small community will also be discussed in a presentation by Tania Davidson, an experienced sign language interpreter.
“Professional boundaries can be difficult to maintain and can easily become blurred when community interpreters have close social connections with their clients,” says Ms Davidson. “Discussing this issue and developing effective strategies help to avert this.”
For information and to register, phone Ellen Altshuler, Settlement Support Coordinator, on 470 3056 or email ellena@wdc.govt.nz.
Settlement Support
Settlement Support – Whangarei is a free information and referral service for migrants and newcomers to help them settle into the Whangarei community. The service is based at the Municipal Building, 71 Bank Street. This seminar is one of a series of free information seminars offered by Settlement Support.