This section contains useful resources for professionals conducting or participating in a hearing with a foreign-speaking minor through an interpreter. You will find practical recommendations on how to work efficiently with an interpreter. The four downloadable documents in the section on the right contain in-depth information on the general issues that can arise and provide concrete solutions for the three key stages of an interview with a child and an interpreter: before, during and after.
The information and suggestions contained in the documents are the result of research based on real-life experiences involving minors - the most vulnerable actors in these contexts - whose opinions and rights are often overlooked or not taken into consideration. The normative texts mentioned and bibliographical references can be found in the document "ChiLLS Bibliographic Selection" (downloadable from the "Publications" section).
Hearing a child with an interpreter: legal foundations
Child-friendly justice: respect, not overprotection
The right to information and expression
Who is a trust person?
Language matters
Communicating via an interpreter
Before the interview
Recruiting the right interpreter
The right interpreting mode
Background information and materials
Briefing the interpreter
During the interview
Needs of the child
Rules of the game
Seating arrangements
Building trust
Non-verbal communication
Emotions
Critical situations
After the interview
Why debriefing is important and how you do it