Using the Interpreter Card
When issuing the card, what do I do?
It is important to follow four steps:
- Determine the person's preferred language
- Explain what the card is for and how it should be used (you may need help from an interpreter to do this)
- Help the person write the language clearly in English on the front of the card
- Give them the card and the accompanying information brochure
How do I identify the correct language?
Use the Language List included in the Interpreter Card Kit.
Visit Find Your Language - an online language identification tool available from the Victorian Government.
If the person is fluent in more than one language, help them write additional languages on the front of the card, listed in order of preference.
Keep in mind that a person's country of origin may not be a reliable indicator of their preferred language. For example, a person from China may speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka or another language.
Remember that regional variants of some languages may not be mutually intelligible. For example, a Sudanese Arabic speaker may not understand standard Arabic. You should include any information about regional variants in brackets next to the language e.g. 'Arabic (Sudanese).'
Queensland Interpreter Card Kit
Interpreting fact sheets
This series of fact sheets provide information to Queensland Government staff on how to access and work with professional interpreters either on the telephone or on-site, and include.
- a multilingual brochure How the Queensland Interpreter Card Works (including Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese);
- information sheets
How to Work with Interpreters - Telephone
Procedural Checklist for Agencies
How to engage a suitable interpreter
- Commonwealth Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS)
- Other NAATI accredited or professionally qualified interpreting services. One quick source of information on interpreting service providers is the Yellow Pages.
- How does the Queensland Interpreter Card work? - multilingual brochure
Other languages