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Interpreting and translation

We provide interpreting and translation services for:

  • non-English speaking County Council service users;
  • other external organisations and partner agencies in the public sector.

Booking an interpreter (verbal)

If an interpreter is required within the next 48 hours, then please contact 01926 412698.

Please contact us before a booking to discuss the fee.

If an interpreter is required outside of 48 hours, complete an interpreting booking request form.

Form - request an interpreter (msword, 144Kb)

Please return completed forms to:

  • Email - itsunit@warwickshire.gov.uk
  • Fax - 01926 736374
  • Post - Interpreting and Translation Services, PO Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4RR (please allow 5 working days)

Interpreters listen to the speaker, analyse the message and accurately convey its original meaning in a language other than English.

Warwickshire County Council does not employ in-house interpreters. All our interpreters are freelance therefore it is imperative that both we and they have as much notice as possible in order that we can provide a high quality efficient service.

Languages include:

  • Polish
  • Pashtu
  • Punjabi
  • Portuguese
  • Chinese

We aim to provide a quality service, matching interpreter to client by age, gender, religion and cultural background, where possible. The service is fully confidential.

Interpreters will generally hold the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) and be included on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters – although this may not be possible in some instances, e.g. for rare languages or dialects. All mental health, legal or highly sensitive cases will use fully qualified interpreters.

If we are not be able to book one of our interpreters, we have arrangements in place with partner organisations to ensure we are able to fulfil all bookings.

Booking a translator (written)

If a translator is required within the next 48 hours, then please contact 01926 412698.

Please contact us before a booking to discuss the fee.

If a translator is required outside of 48 hours, complete an translator booking request form.

Form - request a translator (msword, 73Kb)

Please return completed forms to:

  • Email - itsunit@warwickshire.gov.uk
  • Fax - 01926 736374
  • Post - Interpreting and Translation Services, PO Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4RR (please allow 5 working days)

Document translation times

Please allow for the following timescales for translations:

Number of words Time to translate
Up to 1000 words Max 5 days
1000 to 15000 words Max 9 days
1500 to 3000 words Max 12 days
3000 to 5000 words Max 16 days
5000+ words Min 16 days

Our translators carefully examine each word and concept for cultural and linguistic context and aim to convey the message, according to the needs of the service users, rather than providing a word-for-word translation.

We use translators who are very experienced or highly trained and the work of each translator will be checked and proofread for accuracy by another translator.

We aim to deliver the translation services electronically as this saves time and money. We prefer translations to be provided electronically in a PDF format, although we recognise that some languages are not yet available in this format. PDF files are viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free to download from the Adobe website.