By Elena Langdon, a Brazilian Portuguese translator and interpreter and a director of the American Translators Association. Connect with Elena on Twitter: @acolalang.
From Marie Kondo to the tiny house movement, the concept of “less is more” is undergoing a resurgence of sorts. Yet, in one area at least, the practice of “more is more” still rings true. If your upcoming meeting, conference, keynote speech, or business transaction requires a communication expert, such as an interpreter, you may think it’s as easy as having someone show up and translate a language either verbally or with sign language. However, overlooking the proper preparation and briefing that go into effectively hiring an interpreter can cost you a lot of time, money, and headaches down the line.