Standard Guide for Language Interpretation Services

SCOPE
1.1 This guide identifies the components of quality language interpretation services and establishes criteria for each component. These criteria define the minimum standard of quality services in the language interpretation industry with reference to distinctive characteristics of specific settings. The needs analysis identifies a procedure for making an informed choice of interpretation services. In the language industry, translation refers to the translation of a written text, whereas interpretation refers to the translation of spoken or signed communication.

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F2089 −01(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Guide for
Language Interpretation Services
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2089; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope comprehend, convert, edit, and reproduce the original message
after the speaker or signer pauses, in a specific social context.
1.1 Thisguideidentifiesthecomponentsofqualitylanguage
Consecutive interpretation is likely to take longer than
interpretation services and establishes criteria for each compo-
simultaneous, because the interpreter does not interpret while
nent. These criteria define the minimum standard of quality
the speaker or signer is speaking or signing.
services in the language interpretation industry with reference
to distinctive characteristics of specific settings. The needs
4. Referenced Documents
analysis identifies a procedure for making an informed choice
4.1 ASTM Standards:
of interpretation services. In the language industry, translation
F1562 Guide for Use-Oriented Foreign Language Instruc-
refers to the translation of a written text, whereas interpretation
tion
refers to the translation of spoken or signed communication.
4.2 ISO/IEC Standards:
2. Professional Judgment Caveat
IEC 60914:1998 Conference Systems: Electrical and Audio
2.1 This guide offers an organized collection of information Requirements Conference Systems: Electrical and Audio
Requirements
and does not recommend a specific course of action. This
document cannot replace education or experience and should ISO 2603:1998 Booths for Simultaneous Interpretation—
GeneralCharacteristicsandEquipment BoothsforSimul-
be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all
aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. taneous Interpretation—General Characteristics and
Equipment
This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the
standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional ISO 4043:1998 Mobile Booths for Simultaneous
service shall be judged, nor should this document be applied Interpretation—General Characteristics and Equip-
without consideration of a project’s unique aspects. The word ment Mobile Booths for Simultaneous Interpretation—
“Standard” in the title of this document means only that the General Characteristics and Equipment
document has been approved through the ASTM consensus
4.3 Other Documents:
process.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary or Artistic
3. Definitions of Interpretation
Works
3.1 interpretation—the process of understanding and ana-
Civil Rights Act of 1964
lyzing a spoken or signed message and re-expressing that
Executive Order 13166, August 11, 2000
message faithfully, accurately and objectively in another
Guidance Memorandum; Title VI Prohibition Against Na-
language, taking the cultural and social context into account.
tional Origin Discrimination—Persons with Limited Eng-
lish Proficiency, Office for Civil Rights, Department of
3.2 simultaneous interpretation—a highly complex cogni-
Health and Human Services, August 2000
tive activity that requires the interpreter to listen, analyze,
Patient’s Bill of Rights, American Hospital Association,
comprehend,convert,edit,andreproduceinrealtimeaspeaker
or signer’s message while the speaker or signer continues to
Universal Convention on Copyright
speak or sign, in a specific social context.
U.S. Department of Justice: Enforcement of Title VI of the
3.3 consecutive interpretation—a highly complex cognitive
CivilRightsActof1964—NationalOriginDiscrimination
activity that requires the interpreter to listen, analyze,
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F43 on Language For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Services and Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F43.01 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Language Interpreting. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as F2089 – 01. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/F2089-01R07. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2089−01 (2007)
A
TABLE 2 Levels of Listening Proficiency
Against Persons With Limited English Proficiency, “LEP
Level Description
Guidance,” August 11, 2000
0 No Proficiency
28 U.S.C. § 1827 Federal Court Interpreters Act (1978
Survival Proficiency
Court Interpreters Act and 1988 Amendment)
0+ Able to understand short phrases based on memorized
material. Slightly longer phrases may need to be repeated and
frequent pauses included to be understood.
5. Terminology
1 Minimal Functional Proficiency
5.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Able to understand very simple statements, questions, and
face-to-face conversations concerning some familiar situations
5.1.1 active language—a working language into which an
and many basic needs. Repetition and slower speech are
interpreter interprets.
necessary for understanding.
2 Limited Functional Proficiency
5.1.2 “A” language—a language in which the interpreter
Able to understand most routine conversations spoken at a
has educated native proficiency in speaking and listening (see
normal pace relating to social and occupational situations.
Some difficulty understanding common structures and
Tables 1 and 2).
vocabulary remains; occasional repetition is still needed.
5.1.3 bidirectional interpreting—interpretation between two
3 General Functional Proficiency
Able to understand almost all conversations spoken at a normal
languages where each functions as both a source and target
pace without repetitions, including discussions within the
language(forexample,anattorney-clientinterviewwhereeach
individual’s occupation; readily understands phone
speaks a different language).
conversations and broadcasts, but still experiences some
difficulty with very fast speech, slang, and cultural references.
4 Full Functional Proficiency
Able to understand all discussions, no matter how complex,
within the listener’s experience; able to understand most
A
TABLE 1 Levels of Speaking Proficiency
cultural references as well as manipulations of the language
Level Description
including persuasion, negotiation, conjecture, and humor.
5 Educated Native Proficiency
0 No Proficiency
Survival Proficiency
A
A plus sign after Levels I through 4 (that is, 1+, 2+, 3+, and 4+) indicates the
0+ Able to satisfy immediate needs such as for lodging, meals,
ability to handle successfully all of the functions of that level and, inconsistently,
and transportation, using memorized or rehearsed speech only.
some of those of the next.
No fluency.
1 Minimal Functional Proficiency
Able to satisfy minimum courtesy requirements and maintain
very simple conversations on familiar or rehearsed topics.
Experiences frequent misunderstandings. Examples—Can
5.1.4 “B” language—a language in which the interpreter
exchange greetings, elicit predictable information, and explain
has full functional proficiency in speaking and listening (see
routine procedures in a restricted way.
Tables 1 and 2).
2 Limited Functional Proficiency
Able to handle routine daily interactions that are limited in
5.1.5 “C” language—a language in which the interpreter
scope. Able to handle confidently, but not fluently, most social
has full functional proficiency in listening (see Table 2).
conversations on such topics as current events, work, family,
etc. Examples—Can typically ask and answer predictable
5.1.6 client—an individual, institution or other entity that
questions in the workplace and receive and provide
straightforward direction. procures interpretation services.
3 General Functional Proficiency
5.1.7 consultant interpreter—an interpreter who contracts
Able to speak the language with sufficient fluency and
accuracy to participate effectively in most formal and informal directly with a client to provide all interpretation services
conversations on practical, social, and professional topics.
necessary, as well as related administrative and organizational
However, there are noticeable linguistic and cultural
tasks for the event.
imperfections that limit the individual’s ability to participate in
more sophisticated interactions such as high-level negotiation.
5.1.8 domain—the subject matter, field, sector or industry.
Can typically discuss particular interests and special fields of
competence with ease. Examples—Can use the language as
5.1.9 language combination—the set of working languages
part of normal professional duties such as answering
of an individual interpreter.
objections, clarifying points, justifying decisions, understanding
the essence of challenges, stating and defending policy,
5.1.10 limited English proficiency (LEP)—a legal concept
conducting meetings, delivering briefings, etc. Can reliably elicit
referring to a level of English proficiency that is insufficient to
information and informed opinion from native speakers.
ensure equal access to public services provided in English
4 Full Functional Proficiency
Able to use language fluently and accurately on all levels
without an interpreter.
pertinent to professional needs. Examples—Understands the
5.1.11 multidirectional interpreting—interpretation between
details and ramifications of concepts that are culturally or
conceptually different from one’s own. Can set the tone of
two or more source and target languages.
interpersonal, official, semi-official, professional, and
5.1.12 passive language—a working language out of which
nonprofessional verbal exchanges with a representative range
of native speakers (for all audiences, purposes, tasks, and
an interpreter interprets.
settings). Can play an effective role among native speakers in
such contexts as negotiations, conferences, lectures, and 5.1.13 provider—an entity (for example, an interpretation
debates on matters of disagreement. Can advocate a position
agency, consultant interpreter, or technological equipment
at length, both formally and in chance encounters, using
company, that contracts to deliver interpretation services or a
sophisticated verbal strategies.
5 Educated Native Proficiency
component thereof).
A
A plus sign after Levels I through 4 (that is, 1+, 2+, 3+, and 4+) indicates the
5.1.14 relay interpreting—using an interpretation of the
ability to handle successfully all of the functions of that level and, inconsistently,
original message as a secondary source language for interpre-
some of those of the next.
tation into another target language (for example, an utterance
F2089−01 (2007)
in Japanese is interpreted directly into English, and that 7.2 To ensure quality interpretation, the following compo-
English output is the basis for the interpretation into French). nents shall be considered. These components are discussed in
detail in subsequent sections.
5.1.15 remote interpretation—interpretation provided by an
7.2.1 Interpreter Qualifications—Assists the client and pro-
interpreter who is not on site (for example, interpretation via
vider in determining the interpreter qualifications appropriate
telephone or videoconferencing).
totheneedathand.Thesequalificationsconsistofcommandof
5.1.16 setting—the domain and the type of event for which
languages, interpreting skills, and knowledge of subject matter
interpretation is provided.
(see Section 8).
5.1.17 sight translation—translation of a written document
7.2.2 Needs Analysis—Assists the client in determining the
into spoken/signed language.
components of the service which correspond to the most
appropriate, reliable, cost-effective, and efficient solution for
5.1.18 source language—the language of a speaker/signer
who is being interpreted. the need at hand. Provides the client with a process for the
procurementofhighqualityinterpretationservices(seeSection
5.1.19 target language—the language of the person receiv-
9).
ing interpretation.
7.2.3 Elements Common to All Interpreted Events—
5.1.20 type of event—the physical location, number of
Describes factors that all interpretation settings share (see
participants and type of discourse.
Section 10).
5.1.21 unidirectional interpreting—interpretation from only
7.2.4 Settings—Assists the client and provider in identifying
one source language (for example, a main speaker’s presenta-
factors specific to interpretation in a given setting, which may
tion being interpreted for listeners).
include a description of the domain and type of event, mode of
interpretation, interpreter qualifications, responsibilities of all
5.1.22 whisper interpreting—whispered simultaneous
participants as well as limitations and complicating factors in
interpretation, without equipment, for one or two listeners.
specific settings (see Section 11).
5.1.23 working language—a language an interpreter uses
7.2.5 Technological Requirements—Describes the equip-
professionally.
ment for particular modes of interpretation that may be used in
specific settings and types of events (see Section 12).
6. Summary of Guide
7.2.6 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct—Defines a
6.1 When two or more people are unable to communicate
code of ethics and professional conduct for interpreters. All
with each other due to language differences, they need an
professional interpreters are expected to adhere to this code
interpreter. The interpreter’s task is to remove the language
(see Section 13).
barrier to the extent possible. The interpreter enables the
7.2.7 Responsibilities of Providers—Defines the responsi-
participantstocommunicateinrealtimealmostasiftherewere
bilities of providers to clients and interpreters when offering
no language barrier. The participants should be aware that
and implementing interpretation services (see Section 14).
everything said or signed will be interpreted and that all
7.2.8 Responsibilities of Clients—Describes responsibilities
participants should interact directly with each other as if they
of clients to providers and interpreters that are not covered
were in a monolingual environment.
elsewhere in this guide (see Section 15).
6.2 When interpreting, the interpreter may speak/sign either
at the same time (simultaneous interpretation) or after the 8. Interpreter Qu
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