Here you can find out more about the quality of our services and learn more about using interpretation and translation services.

When you use an interpreting service, make sure, the interpreter is a professional (like our associates).

A professional interpreter will:

• interpret without adding, omitting or changing anything
• always stay neutral and impartial
• respect confidentiality at all times
• disclose any professional limitations
• inform parties of any cultural differences.

A professional interpreter will not:

• offer advice, guidance or any involvement in the case other than interpreting
• engage in a conversation with the client other than formal introduction
• accept rewards other than fees.

You can download our Code of Conduct that sets out the standarts which are expected of an interpreter (Code of Conduct.pdf) or see The Scottish Translation, Interpreting and Communication Forum Good Practice Guidelines for more details.

As you can see, interpreting is very different from mediation or being a party in negotiatios.

Language interpretation is the intellectual activity of facilitating oral and sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between two or more users of different languages. An interpreter is a person who converts a source language to a target language. The interpreter's function is conveying every semantic element (tone and register) and every intention and feeling of the message that the source-language speaker is directing to the target-language listeners.

Mediation, a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or "appropriate dispute resolution", aims to assist two (or more) disputants in reaching an agreement. The parties themselves determine the conditions of any settlements reached— rather than accepting something imposed by a third party. The disputes may involve (as parties) states, organizations, communities, individuals or other representatives with a vested interest in the outcome.

Mediators use appropriate techniques and/or skills to open and/or improve dialogue between disputants, aiming to help the parties reach an agreement (with concrete effects) on the disputed matter. Normally, all parties must view the mediator as impartial.

Negotiation is a dialogue intended to resolve disputes, to produce an agreement upon courses of action, to bargain for individual or collective advantage, or to craft outcomes to satisfy various interests. Professional negotiators are often specialised, such as union negotiators, leverage buyout negotiators, peace negotiators, hostage negotiators, or may work under other titles, such as diplomats, legislators or brokers.