Expending client base in interpretation and translation services: Have you ever thought of working with a Speech - Language Pathologist?

Networking with another professionals and companiesthe responsibilities is to translate spoken words from
is the key to grow freelance translation orone language to another when SLP performs the
interpretation business sector. It is also very challengingstandardized or non-standardized testing, and gives
to develop steady cooperation with perspective clientsinstructions to a patient. In addition, an interpreter will be
since the market is overwhelmed with any type ofinvolved in some type of analysis that will help SLP to
translation services. However, if one possessesdistinguish between language difference and language
creativity, and knows which domains are demanding,disorder. An interpreter therefore, will not only interpret
and less competitive, he or she may find networkingwords but also pay close attention to the production of
and self-promotion easier to conduct. By brainstormingsounds, language competence such as grammar,
an interpreter or a translator may discover, forpragmatics of given culture and cognitive behavior of a
instance that a Speech- Language Pathologist willpatient. An interpreter will help SLP to determine if a
need his or her services.mother tongue of a client is deviant, and if the "errors"
What does a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) do?that occur in second language are due to interference
SLP evaluates, diagnoses and treats individuals whoof first language. Moreover, an interpreter will be
exhibit speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowingneeded during an interview when SLP collects
disorders. Now, you may wonder why this professionalbackground information from a client such as medical,
needs your interpretation or translation services. SLPdevelopmental history, speech/language acquisition
who works in culturally diverse areas such ashistory, and family and social history. Furthermore, an
Australia, Canada or United States (USA), he/she findsinterpreter may be needed during treatment when SLP
working face-to-face with an interpreter necessary.or a client decides that therapy in native language is
For instance, according to the U.S. Census Bureaunecessary and beneficial. A translator may offer his/
there are approximately 50 million people in the USAher services to SLP since the questionnaire forms,
who speak a language other then English at home.consent forms, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and
(American Community Survey, 2002). In Los Angeles,progress reports should also be presented in native
one of the most diverse cities in the USA there arelanguage of a client who may not be able to read in
150 languages spoken in public schools, and manyhis second language. How can I network with those
cultural communities such as: African American,professionals? First of all find places that are cultural
Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and other.and linguistically diverse. Promote your services by
When working in US public schools, SLP is required bycontacting or even visiting public schools, private
the law (Special Education Legislation) to conductpractices that offer speech/language therapy,
assessment in student's native language. That's whenhospitals, local clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing care
an interpreter or a translator plays an important role.facilities, colleges and universities, state and local health
An interpreter can be involved in many different tasksdepartments, state and federal government agencies,
such as participating in process of evaluation, diagnosishome health agencies. Also, visit ASHA (American
and treatment when collaborating with SLP. One ofSpeech Hearing Association) website.