Why do adjusters interrupt interpreters all the time?

Question

As a phone interpreter I always encounter a few adjusters that interrupt interpreters. It is annoying. Why you do this? I hate when they ask for literal interpretation even when it's non sense. Do you want us to say "command me" for "mande"?

Answer 1

Why do interpreters completely reword and inaccurately interpret our questions? I understand enough to know that sometimes what you are telling them is not what was asked...not even close. Maybe that is why we interrupt.

Answer 2

The other thing is when we are speaking with a non-English speaking client - the wheels in our heads are turning very fast. We take in the info you give us - process it - and come up with another question- as soon as that question pops in our heads - we ask it. It's hard to have the wheels turning like they are - have a thought and then have to sit while you finish. I've had some interpreters carry on a conversation with the client for 2 mins - and all I asked was "what color was your traffic light?" - it only requires a one word answer and there are only 3 choices.

We are also used to being in control of the conversation. We have certain information we need to get so we steer the conversation toward what we need. It's hard to give that up.

So - no - it's not just us being disrespectful of you. We greatly appreciate the help you offer.

Answer 3

Time!

Most of us don't mean to interrupt. It's mostly a subconscious thing due to time constraints. This is especially true when taking a recorded statement. Using an interpreter makes the statement take longer and everything we do is supposed to be twice as fast as we are doing it.  Plus it never fails that we get somebody on hold wanting to talk to us which only rushes us more.

I am guilty of doing this and have had a couple of Spanish interpreters ask me to wait until they are done telling me what the person just said. They were polite about the request and I made an extra effort to shut up until they were done.