My Client's Language

Do you know what language your client speaks?

If you already have a client's file, you may be able to find a note mentioning the need for one interpreter and the language or dialect required.

Alternatively, there will be situations where your client will show you an INTRAN card requesting an interpreter in a particular language or dialect.

For new clients it will often be part of your role to identify the language spoken. However, there are a range of useful strategies which will ensure that you are able to identify the language required quickly and confidently!

If your client is deaf, you may want to write sentences such as "how can I help you?" or when arranging the date for a face-to-face appointment suggest in writing "would you like an interpreter or a lipspeaker?"

If your client speaks a foreign language, you may want to ask "do you speak English?". Most people will be able to recognise this sentence and will have learned to respond by saying in English the language or dialect they require.

Another option is to show the Language Identification Card to your client.