Public Service Interpreter Education in the Gulf States: Ideas for Curriculum Design and Teaching

Abstract

The Gulf States host large numbers of non-Arabic-speaking residents and visitors. These non-nationals need to deal with such public services as hospitals, schools, courts, and other local administrations. In many cases, English is used as a lingua franca; however, not all public service staff or clients are able to speak or communicate effectively in this language. The communication needs in such situations require the assistance of professional public service interpreters, which, in turn, calls for appropriate education. In this paper, I outline education needs in public service interpreting in the Gulf States; provide an overview of common curricular contents and teaching methods in this area; put forward a proposal for learning outcomes, course contents, and teaching strategies; and highlight the importance of an interpreting practicum for graduate employability and community engagement.