Providing interpretation for an Indigenous language can involve several considerations that do not arise with more widely spoken languages.
The United States has hundreds of Indigenous languages with different histories, structures and regional varieties. The Bureau of Indian Affairs reports that more than 300 American Indian and Alaska Native languages were spoken historically, with fewer than 200 still viable today.
For organizations, the first step is identifying the language a person actually uses.
“Native language” is not a specific language. Neither is “Indigenous language.”
A client may speak a particular tribal language or a regional variety that requires an interpreter with specific knowledge of that language.
Why Word-for-Word Interpretation Can Cause Problems
Languages do not follow the same grammatical structures or use the same expressions. A direct translation of individual words can produce a sentence that is technically understandable but does not accurately communicate the speaker’s meaning.
Professional interpretation focuses on the meaning of the original statement. The interpreter needs to communicate the information accurately, without adding, removing or changing what the person said.
The Indian Health Service defines a qualified interpreter as someone who can interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, including specialized vocabulary and terminology, while preserving the original statement’s tone and meaning.
That standard applies regardless of whether the language is widely spoken or has relatively few speakers.
Identifying the Correct Indigenous Language
Language identification should happen before an interpreter is assigned. A person’s nationality, tribal affiliation or place of residence does not necessarily tell an organization which language they speak.
The person should be asked directly about their preferred language.
In some cases, additional information may be necessary:
- The name of the language
- The community or region where it is spoken
- A dialect or language variety
- Whether the person speaks more than one language
- Whether they prefer speaking or reading in that language
- Whether they need interpretation, translation or both
This information can prevent an organization from arranging an interpreter who speaks a related but different language.
Dialects and Language Varieties
Indigenous languages can have significant regional and community differences.
The Indian Health Service specifically recognizes that Native American languages have unique characteristics and differences in dialect. Its language-access policy also notes that formal certification or accreditation may not be available for every Native American language.
A standard interpreter database may not provide the same information for an Indigenous language as it does for Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic.
Organizations may therefore need to assess interpreter qualifications through other methods, including language proficiency assessments, training and knowledge of relevant terminology.
Interpreter Qualifications
Speaking two languages does not automatically make someone a qualified interpreter.
For professional assignments, the interpreter may need to demonstrate:
- Proficiency in both languages
- Knowledge of specialized terminology
- Ability to interpret accurately and impartially
- Understanding of professional interpreter ethics
- Confidentiality
- Appropriate training or skills assessment
The requirements can vary depending on the cases and settings.
A healthcare appointment may require knowledge of medical terminology. A legal assignment may require familiarity with legal terminology and courtroom procedures.
The organization should also establish whether the interpreter is qualified for the particular language and language variety involved.
Indigenous Language Interpretation in Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the areas where interpretation errors can have serious consequences. A patient may need to describe symptoms, understand a diagnosis, discuss treatment options or provide informed consent.
The Indian Health Service has a specific language-access policy covering patients and other eligible individuals with limited English proficiency. The policy requires meaningful access and sets standards for qualified interpreters and translators.
It also recognizes the particular challenges involved in assessing interpreters for Native American languages.
Healthcare organizations should have a process for identifying less commonly encountered languages before an appointment whenever possible. They should also know how to arrange interpretation when an interpreter is not available locally.
Indigenous Language Interpretation in Legal Services
Legal organizations may encounter Indigenous language speakers in immigration, family law, criminal law, civil litigation and other proceedings.
- The interpreter’s role is to communicate what the person says and what the legal professional says.
- The interpreter should not summarize, advise the client or make decisions on the client’s behalf.
- Legal organizations should establish the client’s preferred language early in the case and record it accurately.
They should also determine whether the assignment requires:
- Direct interpretation
- Remote interpretation
- In-person interpretation
- Relay interpretation
- Written translation
- A combination of services
Waiting until the day of an appointment or hearing to identify a less commonly spoken language can create unnecessary delays.
When Relay Interpretation is Necessary
A direct English-to-Indigenous-language interpreter may not always be available. In those circumstances, an organization may need to use relay interpretation.
For example, one interpreter may communicate between an Indigenous language and Spanish, while another interpreter works between Spanish and English.
Relay interpretation adds another stage to the communication process.
The organization should therefore make sure that everyone involved understands the arrangement and that the interpreters are qualified for their respective languages.
The Department of Justice has addressed relay interpretation as one approach for providing language access when a direct language match is not available.
Interpretation is Different from Translation
Interpretation and translation require different skills:
- Interpretation deals with spoken or signed communication.
- Translation deals with written material.
An Indigenous language speaker may be comfortable speaking their language but prefer to receive written information in English.
Another person may need spoken interpretation but not written translation.
The organization should establish the person’s actual communication needs rather than automatically ordering both services.
Written translation can also involve additional questions for languages with limited written resources or different writing conventions.
Written Translation of Indigenous Languages
Not every Indigenous language has the same level of written standardization or the same volume of published material.
Before commissioning a written translation, organizations should establish:
- Which writing system or orthography should be used
- Whether the language has established terminology for the subject
- Who the intended readers are
- Whether the material has previously been translated
- Whether community or language experts should review the material
A person who is highly proficient in speaking a language may not necessarily have the written translation skills required for a legal, medical, or technical document.
Why Family Members Should Not Be the Default Interpreters
Organizations sometimes rely on relatives or friends when a less commonly spoken language is involved.
HHS guidance advises federally funded organizations to consider competence, confidentiality, privacy and conflicts of interest when family members or friends are used as interpreters. Organizations should not require a person with limited English proficiency to use a family member or friend when competent language assistance is required.
Children are particularly inappropriate for complex legal, medical or confidential conversations.
A family member may understand the language but still lack the vocabulary or interpreting skills needed for the situation.
The issue is not whether the relative can communicate casually, it is if the person can interpret the information accurately and impartially.
Technology and Remote Interpretation
Telephone and video interpretation can help organizations reach speakers of less commonly available languages.
Remote services can be useful when there is no qualified interpreter in the local area.
They also have limitations.
Organizations should confirm that the requested language and language variety are actually available before the appointment. Audio quality, connection problems and unfamiliarity with the technology can also affect an assignment.
For healthcare and legal settings, organizations should have a backup process when remote interpretation is unavailable.
Building a Language-Access Process
Organizations that regularly serve Indigenous communities can make language access easier by establishing procedures before a need arises.
A practical process can include:
- Ask about language during intake
Record the person’s preferred spoken and written language.
- Record the specific language
Avoid broad labels such as “Native language” when a more precise identification is available.
- Check for dialect or regional differences
Ask whether the person uses a particular community or regional variety.
- Separate interpretation from translation
Determine whether the person needs spoken interpretation, written translation or both.
- Assess interpreter qualifications
Use appropriate language assessments and training when formal certification is unavailable.
- Prepare terminology
For medical, legal and technical assignments, identify important terminology before the session.
- Protect confidentiality
Use professional interpreters and appropriate data-handling procedures for sensitive information.
- Have a backup plan
Know what to do if an interpreter cannot be reached or a particular language variety is unavailable.
- Review the process regularly
Language-access procedures should be updated as an organization’s service population changes.
Indigenous Language Interpretation Requires Specific Language Knowledge
The term “Indigenous language” covers a large number of distinct languages. An effective language-access program needs to account for that fact.
The Indian Health Service specifically addresses the need for training and skills assessments for interpreters working with Native American languages because certification and accreditation may not be available in every language.
For organizations, the practical approach is to identify the language accurately, assess the interpreter appropriately and match the interpreter to the assignment.
That applies whether the setting is a hospital, courtroom, government office, school or community organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indigenous language interpretation?
Indigenous language interpretation is the process of interpreting spoken communication between an Indigenous language and another language, such as English. The interpreter communicates the speaker’s meaning accurately and impartially.
Why is Indigenous language interpretation different?
Indigenous languages include many distinct languages and language varieties. Some have regional dialects, different grammatical structures and limited availability of formally certified interpreters.
Are all Indigenous languages the same?
No. American Indian and Alaska Native communities speak many different languages. The Bureau of Indian Affairs reports that more than 300 Indigenous languages were spoken historically in the United States.
How do you identify the correct Indigenous language?
Ask the person directly which language they prefer to use. If necessary, also identify their community, region or dialect and whether they need spoken interpretation or written translation.
Can a family member interpret an Indigenous language?
A family member may be able to communicate in the language, but that does not necessarily make them a qualified interpreter. For sensitive legal, medical or government matters, organizations should consider competence, confidentiality and conflicts of interest before using a family member.
What if there is no certified interpreter?
Some Indigenous languages do not have established certification or accreditation systems. Organizations may need to use other methods to assess language proficiency and interpreting skills. The Indian Health Service specifically addresses this issue in its language-access policy.
Can Indigenous language interpretation be provided remotely?
Yes. Telephone and video interpretation can be used when appropriate. Organizations should confirm that the specific language and language variety are available before the assignment.
What is relay interpretation?
Relay interpretation involves two interpreters when a direct language pair is not available. One interpreter communicates between the Indigenous language and another language, while a second interpreter communicates between that language and English.
Is Indigenous language translation the same as interpretation?
No. Interpretation is spoken or signed communication. Translation concerns written material. A person may need one service or both.
Conclusion
Organizations serving Indigenous language speakers need accurate language identification, appropriate interpreter assessment and a clear process for handling less commonly available languages.
The starting point is simple: ask the person which language they use and what type of communication support they need.
From there, the organization can determine whether it needs an interpreter, translator, relay service or another language-access solution.
