On-site Interpretation Services

Interpretation: the rendering of something spoken, from one language into another.

Central and District Offices  

The Translation and Interpretation Unit provides on-site interpretation services for the following events:

• Panel for Educational Policy meetings

• Citywide parent conferences

• Citywide parent fairs and workshops

• Citywide parent training sessions

• Other citywide events

• District CEC meetings

• District in Need of Improvement (DINI) Audits

• Suspension hearings

• Impartial hearings 

To obtain interpretation services for these meetings, simply download an Interpretation Request Form (see Key Documents, at right) and submit it to translations@schools.nyc.gov .  

When preparing your request for interpretation services, please remember to:

• Pre-assess which language(s) will be needed based on past events, pre-registration information or by using home language survey data.

• Send us a draft of the schedule and agenda for events with multiple workshops or breakout groups.

• Make sure all promotional and registration materials for your event are translated (see Translation Services).

• If you need American Sign Language services, contact the Department of Education’s Office of Sign Language Interpretation Services at 212-689-4020.  

Schools  

The Translation and Interpretation Unit does not provide interpretation services for school-based events. Schools are encouraged to make use of their translation / interpretation funding allocations, as detailed in School Allocation Memorandum #65 (FY 10), to cover local interpretation needs.  

To obtain pricing information, request forms or other information from the DOE’s interpretation vendor, LIS, please click here.  

Keep the following in mind when offering interpretation services at your events.  

• Make sure to have translated signs prominently displayed at the entrance of the facility in which your event is taking place. Common translated signs can be downloaded for free from the  Translation Resources  page of this site.

• Remember that the interpreter is to be utilized solely as a bridge for two parties to communicate and is not a source for general information for either party.

• Be aware that there may be more than one interpreter per language at your event.

• Abstain from having more than one person speak at one time.

• If an interpreter is working alone, he or she may need frequent breaks.

• If a script or presentation is being read, provide the interpreter with a copy of the material ahead of time. Also, please advise the presenter to speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

• When providing consecutive interpretation (i.e., speaker and interpreter taking turns), remember to advise the speaker to pause after every sentence or thought to allow the interpreter to relay the message.

• If you are using interpretation equipment and have a problem with it, please advise parents to see the technician or facilitator in charge. Avoid referring parents directly to the interpreter.

• Your assistance in assuring that all interpretation equipment is handled properly and returned at the conclusion of the meeting is greatly appreciated.