National Register of Interpreters

The project is implemented by The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) and partners in Norway. It began in 2018 and is currently ongoing.

The National Register of Interpreters is publicly available with more than 2,000 qualified interpreters in more than 70 languages. The register is easily accessible to all public servants who need to provide their services to eligible citizens who do not speak Norwegian. The use of qualified interpreters promotes equal access to public services, increases participation in the host society and strengthens trust between immigrants and national authorities.

The project aims to increase access to good quality interpreting services, with the aim of upholding legal safeguards and ensuring the provision of proper assistance and services to persons who are unable to communicate adequately with public bodies without an interpreter.

Main activities of the Good Practice

In addition to providing access to good quality interpreting services to public servants, the register has a tiered structure that positions interpreters according to their level of qualification. The tier structure gives an incentive to low-qualified interpreters to improve their qualifications which will in turn result in more assignments and potentially, a higher wage.

A series of information videos were produced to promote the register and the interpreter profession. This has increased the status of the profession which in turn can potentially increase recruitment of new interpreters in languages needed in the society.

Elements which helped facilitate the implementation of the good practice

• Establishment of a national qualification system for interpreters
• Establishment of a good knowledge base for mapping and developing targeted measures
• Commitment and participation of several sectorial authorities
• Implementation of the Interpreting Act (2022), which mandates public bodies to use qualified interpreters and helps ensure that interpreters uphold proper professional standards

Partners involved

• Reference groups of interpreters, public bodies with good practice of interpreter services and universities
• Oslo Metropolitan University
• Digitaliseringsrådet (The Norwegian Digitalisation Agency)
• Norsk tolkeforening (Norwegian Association of Interpreters)

What challenges were encountered in delivering the project and how were they overcome?

Challenges

The lack of regulation in the field of public service interpreting required immense efforts to raise awareness of the importance of the register.

Keeping pace with the available technology to provide the best user-friendly interface to all users has been a challenge due to the lack of funding.

After the implementation of the register, making the register well-known among public bodies, civil servants and interpreters remains a challenge.

How they were overcome

Cooperation with sector authorities, educational institutions and professionals, including all the stakeholders and giving them ownership of the register have been of extreme importance.

The establishment of a good knowledge base through continuous mapping and surveys resulted in an official report from the Norwegian Government with a series of recommendations for further development of the field of Public Service Interpreting. Nevertheless, the implementation of the Interpreting Act that came into force in January 2022 has been a game changer. An English version of the Interpreting Act is available.

Results of the Good Practice

• Public bodies and authorities in the host country have easier access to interpreting services which will in turn improve the quality of communication and information.
• Better communication and information between newcomers and local service providers and national authorities strengthens the trust between them and contributes to a better integration process in society.
• The creation of the register has established a high standard in the field that for many decades was known for the absence of standards.

In what way does the good practice meet one or more of the four objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?

Objective 1: Ease the pressures on host countries

The National Register provides access to good quality interpreting services that improve communication between public service providers and refugees and people who still do not speak the official language of the host society. Equal access to public services and strong participation in society enhance refugees' self-reliance and ease the pressure on many sectors in the host countries.

Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

The National Register provides access to good quality interpreting services that improve communication between public service providers and refugees and people who still do not speak the official language of the host society. Equal access to public services and strong participation in society enhance refugees' self-reliance and ease the pressure on many sectors in the host countries.

Next steps

The National Register is an ongoing activity that has been adapted and adjusted in accordance with the development in the field. For example, the register is now open for sign language and applicants with educational backgrounds from other countries in accordance with the EU Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.