Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters play a vital role in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can participate equitably in Australian society. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have worked hard for the right to be heard in their own languages, and interpreting services for these languages were built up through the tireless work of passionate and talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreters, training organisations, advocates in related industries and government.
NAATI has participated in this work by certifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters and translators since 1981. NAATI-certified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters and translators are highly skilled professionals that have demonstrated they have the skills needed to practice as an interpreter or translator in Australia.
The shared vision of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreting sector in Australia is that speakers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages can access the services of a highly skilled interpreter when required.
Realising this vison would result in greater social and economic inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language speakers, strengthening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, better service delivery and ultimately, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights being upheld.
The following FAQs provide an overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreting sector in Australia and some of the current priorities for strengthening the sector.
How can I find an interpreter?
NAATI doesn’t offer interpreting or translation services; however, the NAATI online directory contains the contact details of certified interpreters and translators who have opted to have their details listed. Interpreters and translators are listed by languages.
Nationally, several key organisations provide interpreting services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Northern Territory:
Western Australia:
South Australia:
- Aboriginal Language Interpreting Service, South Australia (ALIS)
- Aboriginal Tri State Interpreting Service (ATSIT)
- ABC Multilingua
- Iwiri
Queensland:
In some areas, independent NAATI-certified interpreters offer their services operating under ABNs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language centres also often provide translation services.
Why are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters important?
In the late 18th century, when Britain colonised Australia, hundreds of languages were spoken across the continent, and a rich culture of multilingualism existed. Tragically, because of colonisation, most traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are no longer spoken or are in stages of ‘revival’.
There are, however, still many traditional languages and some new languages (creoles and mixed languages) considered ‘strong’ (being acquired by children as a first language) with vibrant communities of speakers, particularly in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, northern Queensland and the Torres Strait. These languages require and have produced highly skilled interpreters.
There are two main reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreters are important:
- Indigenous language interpreters are fundamental to good service delivery outcomes, as they allow users on both sides of the conversation to be linguistically present with each other.
- Indigenous language interpreters preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages by allowing First Language speakers to continue to speak their language.
Why is NAATI-certification important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters?
Interpreting and translation work is complex and challenging. There can be serious consequences if unskilled bilingual people are involved. Translating and interpreting competency requires skills that are developed through training and professional experience.
Often people are asked to interpret in complex situations that they do not have the appropriate level of skill or experience. Raising the bar to expect that interpreting services are not just provided, but that they are high quality, ensures that the linguistic rights of people who require an interpreter are upheld. While some interpreting service providers have rigorous internal quality assurance and interpreter training and development processes, NAATI certification remains the best consistent measure of interpreter skill in the sector.
NAATI certification is the industry standard for working as an interpreter in Australia. It recognises that an interpreter has the knowledge and skills needed to practice as a professional interpreter. It assures service providers and Indigenous language speakers that the interpreting will be to a high standard. Poor or inaccurate communication leads to adverse outcomes (health, wrongful convictions, loss of trust). Professionals have a duty of care to ensure their services are delivered equitably. Engaging NAATI certified interpreters benefits everyone – Indigenous language speakers, the organisation and the community.
NAATI certification is particularly valuable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters themselves. Many NAATI-certified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters have shared that they feel pride that their profession is recognised as highly skilled and that they have met standards shared across all languages. Knowledge of the professional code of ethics assists interpreters to navigate sensitive relationships between clients and professionals; encourages ongoing professional development and participation in mentoring. Certification can also contribute to career development of interpreters through increased pay and more work.
What inhibits Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing highly skilled interpreters when they need them?
Meeting the need for people and service providers to access high-quality interpreting and translating services is the overarching vision of NAATI and many other stakeholders operating in the interpreting and translating sectors.
Realising this vision requires that:
- There are enough highly skilled interpreters available to provide interpreting services when they are needed (supply)
- People and services providers understand the need for interpreters and engage them properly when they are required (demand)
- Unfortunately, there are several factors that hinder the interpreting and translating sectors’ ability to balance the supply and demand.
On the supply side, the key barriers are:
- A lack of new interpreters joining the profession with the skills required to be an interpreter
- Difficulty retaining skilled interpreters in the profession (this could be due to factors such as a lack of accessible training, lack of career development opportunities, and inadequate remuneration)
On the demand side, the key barriers are:
- Lack of knowledge from service providers about how, when and why to engage interpreters
- Lack of access to funds to pay for interpreting services when required
Initiatives that overcome these barriers in the supply and demand of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters would increase the availability of high-quality interpreting and translating services available for people and service providers who need them. Doing so would result in improved social, health and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and stop further loss of Indigenous languages in Australia.
Submissions
- NAATI submission to the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, input to Inquiry into Workforce Development (January 2023)
- NAATI submission to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Directions Group, feedback on the Draft Indigenous Languages Priorities Paper (April 2023)