Insight: My opinion on the phrase “the interpreter never turned up” (BSL)
As an interpreter I seem to be seeing this phrase more and more in my work. Frustrated Deaf clients often tell me a previous appointment failed to go ahead because the ‘interpreter never turned up. ‘
Of course, Interpreters are not perfect and we might make mistakes with bookings, but most of us are self employed, working as freelance interpreters for our income. If we ‘don’t turn up’ we don’t get paid, simple as that. So it is very unusual for an interpreter to simply not attend a booking.
The more likely reason that the Deaf person failed to see an interpreter is because they weren’t booked in the first place. Many NHS settings still don’t know who to contact to book an interpreter, they do not know who their contracted provider is.
Some agencies will take the requests for an interpreter, and the NHS (or whatever service is involved) will presume “requesting” an interpreter is the same as”booking” one. Receptionists will say ‘we asked for an interpreter’ but if the agency doesn’t confirm then there is no booking.
I always advise Deaf clients to clarify, to ask more questions for example;
– how did you book an interpreter?
– who did you contact?
Specifically they should ask for the name of the interpreter who ‘never turned up’ because if one of us is just not bothering to attend a booking then that is cause for complaint and needs to be addressed.
So far in my experience, there has not been one single occasion when they’ve been able to give the name of the interpreter who was supposedly booked but didn’t arrive.
If it was a health appointment then reception should be able to say the name of the agency they contacted and the agency will know the name of the interpreter IF anyone was booked.
It is very easy to use interpreters to shift the blame, but please remember we are working professionals, this is how we earn our income. We simply cannot afford to ‘not turn up’ and it’s really upsetting to be blamed so unfairly.
I’ve been interpreting for 15 years and have never missed a booking, I would be mortified to let a Deaf client down and I know with the Deaf grapevine I would very quickly have a bad reputation.
Please don’t accept the reason’ the interpreter never turned up’ a it is an easy and lazy excuse, where is the proof an interpreter was booked in the first place?
This blog has been written anonymously as part of the Insight series where readers are invited to share their story or news about their interesting job with The Limping Chicken. If you have a story to share please email [email protected]
Image courtesy of i-stock photos.
