"Speak to the Person, Not the Interpreter": A Simple Shift That Builds Trust with LEP Clients

Why This Matters

At Atlas Dreams Languages, our interpreters are more than just language professionals—they are bridges to dignity, clarity, and connection. And in every interpreted encounter, there's one small but powerful habit that makes a world of difference:

Speak directly to the Limited English Proficient (LEP) client—not to the interpreter.

This isn’t just about linguistic accuracy. It’s about respect, presence, and human connection.

LEP Clients Are Already Marginalized—Let’s Not Add to It

For many LEP individuals, daily life is filled with silence.

They navigate a society where most people don’t speak their language—and where small moments of conversation, eye contact, or genuine inclusion are rare. In many cases, their world shrinks to their family, community, and whoever speaks their language.

When they finally enter a space where their needs are being addressed—a hospital, a school, a mental health center—it can be a vulnerable moment. They are relying not just on the interpreter, but on you, the provider, to see them as a person.

When you say things like:

“Tell her she needs to sign here,” or “Ask him how long he’s been sick…”

You may not realize it, but you're reinforcing a sense of exclusion. The client hears their name or pronoun, but not your voice. They see you looking at someone else. And they feel, once again, talked about—not included.

The Impact of Speaking Directly

Now flip the script.

You look at the client. You say:

“You need to sign here.” “How long have you been feeling sick?”

The interpreter translates. But your presence is already there—in your voice, your eye contact, your energy.

That moment, though simple, says:

“I see you.” “You are part of this conversation.” “You matter.”

This small shift in communication can restore dignity and build trust—especially in moments when your client may feel the most powerless.

What the Research—and Our Interpreters—Tell Us

Professional interpreters are trained to interpret in the first person. This ensures the conversation flows naturally and avoids confusion about who is speaking.

But when providers direct their message to the interpreter instead of the client, several issues arise:

• It breaks the rhythm of communication

• It can lead to misinterpretation or repetition

• It erodes the client’s sense of importance and trust

Interpreters are not the main speaker in the room. You are. And the LEP individual is not just a recipient of instructions—they’re a person deserving of your direct attention.

Best Practices for Working with Interpreters

To foster respectful, effective communication with LEP clients, we recommend the following:

• Speak directly to the client, using “you” instead of “tell her/him”

• Make eye contact with the client—not the interpreter

• Pause often, allowing time for accurate interpretation

• Speak clearly and in short sentences

• Trust the interpreter—they are trained to handle the flow professionally

Whether it’s a 15-minute session or a 3-hour intake, the way you speak—and who you speak to—makes all the difference.

Want to Share This with Your Staff?

If you’d like a PDF version of this blog, or a short in-service training on how to work effectively with interpreters, we’d be happy to help. Call us at 412-538-8655 or visit www.adlanguages.com to get in touch.