Quality Interpretation: How We Ensure Excellence Every Time

Quality isn't something that happens by accident. It's the result of intentional processes, rigorous training, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

At Be Moore Interpreting, we believe that accurate communication can change outcomes. A properly interpreted medical conversation can lead to the right diagnosis. A well-translated legal document can protect someone's rights. Quality interpretation and translation isn't just nice to have. It's essential.

So how do we ensure it? Let me show you.

When Quality Falls Short, People Pay the Price

We've seen the consequences when interpretation or translation falls short. A misunderstood medication instruction. A mistranslated legal term that changes the meaning of a document. A missed cultural nuance that derails an important conversation.

These aren't hypothetical scenarios. They happen when quality processes aren't in place. And when they happen, real people experience real harm.

That's why we've built a multi-layered approach to quality that starts before an interpreter ever takes an assignment and continues long after a translation is delivered.

Our Approach to Quality

• Comprehensive 40-Hour Training Requirement

  • All of our interpreters are required to complete our 40-hour Bridging the Gap medical interpreter training before they work with clients. This isn't just about learning medical terminology, though that's part of it.

  • This training prepares interpreters to navigate complex sessions with confidence, recognize when they need to step into a "clarifier role," assess their own limitations and ask for support when needed, understand cultural nuances that impact communication, and apply ethical standards in every interaction.

  • Right now, our third cohort is in session, learning these essential skills. And what we're teaching them is the same standard every Be Moore interpreter upholds.

• The Power of the Clarifier Role

  • One of the most important skills we teach is knowing when to pause and clarify. When an interpreter isn't clear about something, or when they sense that the limited English proficient (LEP) individual isn't fully understanding, they're trained to stop and seek clarification.

  • This might feel like it slows down the conversation. But it's actually what ensures the conversation is accurate and complete. It's imperative to the flow of real communication, not an interruption to it.

  • We'd rather take an extra moment to get it right than rush through and risk miscommunication. That's the difference between interpreting words and truly bridging understanding.

The Training and Certification Conversation

You might be wondering: Are your interpreters certified?

It's a fair question, and we want to address it honestly. Certification in the interpreting field is valuable and demonstrates a high level of competency. Many of our interpreters do hold certifications, and we support anyone who wants to pursue that path.

However, certification is also expensive and requires ongoing renewals that don't always translate into increased income for interpreters, especially in markets like Rhode Island where reimbursement rates are limited. The cost of obtaining and maintaining certification can be a barrier for skilled, qualified interpreters.

Our approach prioritizes comprehensive foundational training—the kind that prepares interpreters for certification should they choose to pursue it—combined with ongoing professional development. We believe that rigorous initial training plus continuous coaching and real-world experience creates interpreters who are exceptionally prepared to serve our clients.

We regularly provide coaching, mentorship, and additional training opportunities to ensure our interpreters are continuously improving their fluency, language proficiency, and interpreting skills. A certificate is valuable, but it's not a substitute for preparation, practice, accountability, and ongoing support. Those are the things that create quality in the real world.

Our Three-Step Translation Process

For written translations, we don't take shortcuts. We use a rigorous three-step process:

1. Translation: A qualified translator completes the initial translation, working carefully to capture not just the words, but the meaning and intent of the original document.

2. Editing: The translation is then reviewed by an editor who checks for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.

3. Collaboration: When needed, the translator and editor collaborate to address any questions or concerns. This is where we ensure that we're producing translations that transcend regional dialects and colloquialisms, creating documents that communicate clearly across linguistic and cultural contexts.

This process takes longer than a quick, single-pass translation. But it's how we ensure that what you receive is polished, accurate, and ready to use.

Strategic Matching and Continuity

Quality also means matching the right interpreter to the right assignment. We consider language proficiency and dialect familiarity, subject matter expertise, prior experience with similar situations, and client preferences and feedback.

When a client requests a specific interpreter, we honor that request whenever possible. Why? Because continuity builds trust, familiarity creates efficiency, and when a client and interpreter work well together, the quality of communication improves dramatically.

For translation projects, we often assign the same translators to ongoing clients. They become familiar with your terminology, style preferences, and specific needs. This institutional knowledge speeds up turnaround times and improves consistency across all your translated materials.

Continuous Improvement Through Feedback

Quality isn't a one-time achievement. It's an ongoing commitment. We collect feedback from clients after interpretation sessions, conduct regular check-ins with our interpreters and translators, provide coaching when areas for improvement are identified, and stay current on industry best practices.

When something doesn't go as planned, we don't sweep it under the rug. We address it directly, learn from it, and adjust our processes to prevent similar issues in the future.

How You Can Support Quality Outcomes

While we take responsibility for our side of the equation, there are ways you can help ensure the best possible outcomes:

• Provide Context in Advance: When possible, let us know what the session will cover so we can match you with an interpreter who has relevant expertise.

• Share Relevant Materials: If there are documents, terminology lists, or background information that would help the interpreter prepare, send them our way.

• Give Feedback: Let us know what's working and what isn't. Your insights help us improve.

• Trust the Process: If an interpreter asks for clarification or slows down to ensure accuracy, trust that they're doing so to maintain quality, not to waste time.

Questions to Ask Any Language Service Provider

As you evaluate language service providers, here are the quality questions you should be asking:

• What training do your interpreters and translators receive?

• How do you ensure ongoing professional development?

• What is your process for quality control in translations?

• How do you match interpreters to assignments?

• Can I request a specific interpreter for continuity?

• What feedback mechanisms do you have in place?

• How do you handle situations when something doesn't go as planned?

At Be Moore Interpreting, we're happy to answer every single one of these questions because we're proud of our processes.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

Quality is what allows us to creatively bridge communication in ways that matter. It's not about being perfect. It's about being prepared, being accountable, and being committed to getting better every single day.

Our third Bridging the Gap cohort is in session right now, learning the skills that will make them exceptional interpreters. And every interpreter and translator on our team continues to grow, learn, and refine their craft.

If you have questions about our quality processes or want to discuss how we can support your language access needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to experience quality interpretation and translation? Contact us at info@bemooreinterpreting.com or call (401) 216-8696.

Interested in future Bridging the Gap training cohorts? Reach out to learn about upcoming dates.