Professional interpreting is often misunderstood — even by well-meaning businesses trying to do the right thing. Clearing up a few common myths helps set realistic expectations and leads to better outcomes for everyone in the room.
Myth 1: “Any Bilingual Person Can Interpret”
Being fluent in two languages is not the same skill as interpreting between them in real time. Professional interpreting requires split-second decision-making, deep familiarity with specialized terminology, and strict adherence to a code of ethics — including confidentiality and neutrality. That’s why fields like healthcare and law require certified interpreters rather than “whoever happens to speak Spanish” or knows some ASL. Our post on certified vs. non-certified interpreters covers this distinction in more depth.
Myth 2: “Interpreters Translate Word-for-Word”
Interpreting is about conveying meaning, not swapping individual words. ASL, for example, has its own grammar, syntax, and structure completely distinct from English — a literal word-for-word approach would be unintelligible. The same is true for idioms and cultural expressions in Spanish interpreting. A skilled interpreter conveys the intended meaning, tone, and context accurately, not a mechanical substitution.
Myth 3: “The Interpreter Will Explain Things to the Deaf or Spanish-Speaking Person”
Interpreters relay what is said — they don’t add explanations, opinions, or clarifications of their own, even if asked. If something needs further explanation, that’s on the speaker, not the interpreter. This neutrality is a core part of professional ethics, similar to what we discussed in our post on working effectively with an interpreter.
Myth 4: “Video Remote Interpreting Is Just as Good as In-Person, Always”
VRI is a great tool for many situations, but it’s not a universal substitute for on-site interpreting — particularly in complex, high-stakes, or group settings. We break down when each makes sense in our post on VRI vs. on-site ASL interpreting.
Myth 5: “One Interpreter Can Cover Any Length of Meeting”
Interpreting is mentally and physically demanding. For sessions beyond about an hour, most professional standards call for a second interpreter to rotate in, keeping accuracy high and reducing fatigue-related errors — not a sign that something’s going wrong.
Myth 6: “Interpreters and Translators Are the Same Thing”
Interpreters work with spoken or signed language in real time; translators work with written text. The skill sets overlap in some ways but are quite different disciplines, and most professionals specialize in one or the other.
Getting It Right
Understanding what interpreting actually involves helps businesses set realistic expectations, budget appropriately, and create a better experience for Deaf and Spanish-speaking clients, patients, and employees alike.
Have questions about what to expect from a professional interpreter for your business in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, or elsewhere? Get in touch — we’re happy to walk you through it.