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Consecutive and whispered interpreting between Italian and English
Case study: sustainability audit of a knitwear factory in Veneto.
I supported a British international certification body during an inspection of a textile factory in Veneto specialising in luxury Italian knitwear. I provided a whispered interpreting service during the site visit and consecutive interpreting during interviews with personnel. This ensured accurate technical communication between inspectors and workers in compliance with professional ethics and confidentiality agreements.
Background
A factory in the Veneto region producing luxury knitwear needed to demonstrate its compliance with the sustainability standards of an international certification body. The inspection involved two stages: a visit of the production site, with checks on machinery and chemicals, and a series of interviews with personnel to verify observance of health and safety measures and workers’ rights.
Collaboration
In order to meet requirements, we agreed on two different interpreting methods. During the factory visit, I used a whispered method, translating in real time in a low voice alongside the inspector, making optimal use of the available time and avoiding interruptions to the inspection. For the interviews with personnel, I chose consecutive interpreting, translating after each block of speech, allowing workers to express themselves without speaking over them.
Technical and ethical challenges
Handling an international audit in a luxury knitwear factory requires a range of non-linguistic expertise.
Technical and sector-specific terminology
This job required precise lexical expertise, covering production techniques, equipment such as linking machines, REACH chemicals, and international certifications such as GOTS. Any incorrect terms could have compromised the understanding of a production process or even the outcome of the inspection.
Register and language variants
Factory personnel spoke an Italian heavily influenced by the regional dialects of Veneto and used sector-specific jargon, whilst the British inspector used a formal register typical of international regulatory language. Translating between these two worlds in real time, without losing any of the nuance or precision, was one of the most delicate aspects of the task.
Ethics and impartiality
During interviews with personnel, I decided to sit in a neutral position — at the side of the table, with the speakers facing each other — in order to ensure my impartiality as the interpreter and avoid influencing either party, even indirectly.
Confidentiality
Before starting the job, I signed an NDA and a declaration stating that I had no affiliation with any of those involved. I undertook not to divulge any sensitive information regarding the company’s operations, during or subsequent to the inspection.
The outcome
Working with a specialist interpreter, the company successfully demonstrated its compliance with the required standards, protected its trade secrets and completed the auditing procedure within the set time frame, without language barriers compromising the process or the brand’s reputation.
