Posted on: January 31, 2026 by admin
If you are communicating with someone with limited English proficiency or is more comfortable speaking in another language, you may need an interpreter.
However, the interpreter you choose to work with can ultimately make all the difference between how accurate and effective your translation is.
Before choosing an interpreter, making sure they are experienced and knowledgeable is key. In this blog, we unpack the risks of working with untrained interpreters, what to look for when making your decision, and how Speak Your Language can help.
There are several key differences between trained and untrained interpreters.
On the other hand, untrained interpreters often rely only on bilingualism and lack professional training in interpreting techniques or ethics. When using untrained interpreters, the original message is more likely to be altered, leading to miscommunication.
Untrained interpreters can include friends and family members, as well as anyone else who is familiar with a second language. Although there are some situations where non-professional interpreters can save the day, the risks associated with interpreting handled by an untrained bilingual person are high.
Here are some of the most common potential risks of untrained interpreters:
Language errors are likely, as are inaccurate conveyance of attitude, mood, and intent.
A study looking at the accuracy of untrained interpreting at a hospital for patients with limited English proficiency illustrates how training and experience make a significant difference in accuracy. The most common mistakes were:
Accuracy is paramount for healthcare providers, which can be hindered when using an untrained interpreter. Some medical terminologies do not have a direct translation in many languages. This requires a comprehensive understanding of diagnoses, medications, and procedures to effectively communicate to a patient and ensure they understand their health issues. Only professional medical interpreters can achieve this.
Untrained interpreters lack this knowledge, which can potentially lead to issues such as inadequate patient care, poor patient satisfaction, medical errors, or misdiagnoses.
In regards to a legal claim or court case, it is highly recommended that you use an independent trained interpreter so both parties understand matters of significance and the legal consequences of failing to comply. This is particularly important in criminal law cases or civil lawsuits where a ruling is made that must be followed, such as a payment, fine, sentence, or bail conditions.
Idioms, slang, and cultural references rarely translate word-for-word. Untrained bilinguals may default to literal translations, which can give false meaning, create confusion, or even cause offence. This has the potential to damage trust and reputation, not only for individuals but also for businesses. If an organisation expands on an international scale, false, misleading, or offensive marketing campaigns can damage credibility and success.
There is also the issue of emotional burden and professional boundaries. Untrained interpreters, especially a friend or family member, may find themselves emotionally overwhelmed in situations.
Professional interpreters are trained to maintain their professional boundaries and provide support without becoming personally involved or letting their emotions take over.
Using an untrained interpreter doesn’t just have these abovementioned ethical risks. It also comes with significant compliance issues and legal risks, exposing individuals and organisations to serious legal and financial liabilities.
Untrained interpreters may unintentionally violate the law, civil rights, or legal proceedings, breach client confidentiality, or give false consent on behalf of the person they are translating for. This can result in hefty fines, investigations, and reputational damage.
Australian healthcare institutions in particular face additional financial consequences when failing to provide professional interpretation. These include:
Interpreting is not a matter of rough translation. Finer details, such as ethical standards, patient safety, cultural appropriateness, and compliance need to be considered. This is particularly important for translations in industries such as law, international relations, and public health where mistranslations can have detrimental effects on all parties involved.
Professional interpreters can significantly reduce the risk of mistranslations, offensive communication, and legal consequences. This can have many benefits, including enhanced customer/client relations, smoother international expansion, and improved team cohesion, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and success.
Professional interpreters can also create a situation of ease, cooperation, and safety. This is particularly important in difficult situations where trust and understanding are of utmost importance.
At Speak Your Language, we understand the importance of accurate and high quality interpretation services when communicating with people with limited English proficiency.
Our interpreters are not only knowledgeable in their specialised languages. They are also well versed in the terminology specific to their dedicated fields and are experienced in managing the cultural appropriateness required for different languages.
Our highly skilled interpreters can provide qualified language services and interpreting services:
If you choose to partner with us, you can be assured that our qualified interpreters will deliver the accuracy, reliability and peace of mind that comes from effective communication.
Merely being fluent in two languages does not equip a person with the skills and experience needed to navigate the complexities of interpretation. You need a trained, professional interpreter you can trust to eliminate language barriers, improve language access, and deliver accurate communication and reliable results.
Rest assured, you can expect nothing less from the team at Speak Your Language, who provides professional interpreting services in over 120 languages.
Whether you’re an individual, government department, small business, or large corporation, we’re here to help you bridge communication gaps effectively and with ease.
To access one of our expert interpreters, call us now on 1300 000 795 or book an appointment online.
