Higher-order research and preparation skills are essential requirements for interpreters working in the community as they are ethically bound to “undertake appropriate preparations for all assignments” (AUSIT, 2012). Interpreters at all levels of certification are expected to use a variety of tools and methods to search for information, including some specialist resources, and to extract and manage complex information from research and apply it to the interpreting process (NAATI). Interpreters must also understand specialist terms and be able to interpret them into appropriate target language equivalents in order to achieve accuracy.

It is therefore crucial that interpreters know how to prepare for assignments, are competent in building specialist glossaries and able to maintain them throughout their career. This online course aims to assist interpreters in enhancing their assignment preparation strategies, which include obtaining relevant information prior to the assignment, researching the specialist domain using reputable resources and seeking a detailed briefing on the day of the assignment. We will also discuss the benefits of building your own glossaries and explore the process of compiling a comprehensive glossary. We will put it all into practice by building a sample medical glossary for a cardiology appointment.