We do not want to be prescriptive, but with our description(s) we try to raise awareness.
This is central to what you can find under ‘explore’
Resources for professionals
Resources for professionals can help you – as a professional – when you need to interview a foreign language-speaking child via an interpreter. You will find hands-on recommendations on how to work efficiently with an interpreter. The subpage has been built up using modules and offers both insights into the key problems you may run into as well as concrete solutions to those problems. We have worked with cross-references to point you towards relevant and interlinked information and to help you on your way in understanding the complexity of interpreter-mediated interviews with minors. Should you wish for some further guidance before diving in, we advise you to consult the page on ‘how to navigate resources for professionals’.
The information and suggestions are of particular relevance because they are built on participatory research with minors with real-life experience in the matter. After all, they are the most vulnerable party involved in such interactions. Their rights and opinions are often neglected or not taken on board. If you would like to learn more about the design of the ChiLLS project, please click here.
Moreover, you will find a protocol to guide you in detecting vulnerability factors that could impact interaction with a child. Children are vulnerable by definition, but when they are traumatized or stressed (psychological problems), have physical impairments (hearing, sight, motor disorders, etc.), or suffer from other disorders (behavioural, speech, learning, attention etc.) they are even more vulnerable. This must be taken into account during the interview and the interpreter must also be aware of the child’s condition.
Resources for children
Next, you will find the subpage resources for children where both professionals and children will find child-friendly information and materials about criminal proceedings and asylum proceedings. Particular attention has been paid to the aspect of interpretation for foreign-language minors.
The materials aim to assist adults in providing children with comprehensive, easy-to-understand information, and to bring together the most relevant information about criminal, civil and asylum proceedings, as well as interpreter-mediated communication. These tools are primarily aimed at supporting communication between a child and an adult.
The materials were developed with input from children on both the content and design. Facilitated by Hintalovon Foundation, eight children took part in the testing. Read more about how children participated in the ChiLLS project here. We encourage you to share these materials with parents or children directly. The child-friendly ChiLLS materials are copyrighted but available for translation and reproduction. If you would like to translate and adapt them to your local language, please contact us at: chills.information@gmail.com.
Further readings
Finally, under further readings you will find a list of resources and academic references designed to help you dig deeper into interpreter-mediated interviews with minors. Do please note though that this list is by no means exhaustive. If there are any important studies missing, you are welcome to let us know at: chills.information@gmail.com.