This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:24:48 GMT

janeishly@beige.party — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:24:48 GMT

@Eetschrijver @Remittancegirl Yeah, anyone can call themselves an interpreter, but there are still some hurdles to overcome - it's a public procurement, for a start, and even when I WANT to tender for one of those it's almost impossible. It's not just a Google form where you claim to be an interpreter and you're in. But basing the awarding of contracts on the cheapest bid is inevitably going to result in poor quality. That's the bit they need to change.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:24:35 GMT

remittancegirl@mstdn.social — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:24:35 GMT

@janeishly A long time ago, when I lived in Vancouver, I was a volunteer interpreter at refugee claim hearings. At that time, in Vancouver, it was mostly people fleeing El Salvador.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:20:11 GMT

janeishly@beige.party — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:20:11 GMT

@Remittancegirl Interpreting (and translation) has been outsourced to the lowest cost providers, so it's not surprising they sometimes get the lowest quality service.

There are many wonderful interpreters out there, but a lot of them simply can't afford to do their jobs any more.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:10:59 GMT

eetschrijver@mastodon.social — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:10:59 GMT

@Remittancegirl Okay, here's the problem: literally anyone can call themselves an interpreter. It's not a protected title like doctor or lawyer. And unfortunately, this kind of behaviour, whilst highly unprofessional, does not get you in trouble with the law, essentially since there are no legal standards. The worst that can happen to charlatans are commercial repercussions and possible lawsuits for breach of contract, for instance.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:05:17 GMT

eetschrijver@mastodon.social — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:05:17 GMT

@Remittancegirl In fact, worse than a sin, says this former interpreter.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 10:04:13 GMT

steveclough@metalhead.club — Sat, 30 May 2026 10:04:13 GMT

@Remittancegirl So the police found someone who was posing as an interpreter, but who wasn't.

The police themselves made a mistake. They should take responsibility for this.

Reply to This is the most unforgivable sin that an interpreter can ever commit. on Sat, 30 May 2026 09:34:36 GMT

remittancegirl@mstdn.social — Sat, 30 May 2026 09:34:36 GMT

"A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: “The Devon and Cornwall police professional standards department carefully reviewed the complaint, but as the interpreter was employed by a third party and not the force, no further action was taken.”

Do the police no longer consider fraud a crime?

Because pretending to be an interpreter, and not faithfully interpreting IS fraud.