How important is a great, trustworthy interpreter? It’s vital for effective communication in multiple languages. A great interpreter links a speaker and receptor without raising alarms. But how can you select a great interpreter?
Depending on the interpretation requirements, full-time commitment from the interpreter may be required for success. This commitment may lead to an interpreter and client bonding outside of business.
In the case of baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara disregarded professional interpreter protocols. The interpreter allegedly stole $16 million US dollars from his client’s bank account for gambling.
We can take a few crucial lessons from this story. The lessons serve as useful criteria for choosing a great interpreter.
Criteria to Select a Great Interpreter
Always thoroughly vet your interpreter based on industry standards. Also, set clear policies before working with an interpreter. Finally, separate professional duties from any personal matters.
When an interpreter is involved extensively with a client, criteria are necessary for clarity.
Before we break down each criterion, let’s review the details of the situation for context.
Yakyū Shōnen Meets Ippei Mizuhara
Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese-born Major League Baseball player. His nickname growing up in Japan was yakyū shōnen (野球少年), meaning a kid who lives, eats, and breathes baseball.
He’s regarded as one of the most talented players ever to play the game. He plays as both a pitcher and hitter, a rare combination, and dominates at both.
He’s already won two American League Most Valuable Player awards. In 2023, Ohtani signed the largest contract in professional sports history ($700 million US dollars). He now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani started his baseball career in his native Japan. He met Ippei Mizuhara as an 18-year-old. Mizuhara already worked for the team Ohtani had signed with, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
They became close over his five years of playing professional baseball in Japan. Ohtani brought Mizuhara to the US after signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017. Although he speaks some English, Ohtani prefers an interpreter to handle his media interactions.
Ippei Mizuhara: Path to a Highly-Sought After Interpreter
Ippei Mizuhara was born in Tomokomai, Hokkaido, Japan. He moved to Los Angeles, California at age seven. He was raised there and supposedly attended college nearby.
Little else is known about his life before working for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham. In 2013, the team hired him to translate for their English-speaking players.
This is where the first step of ensuring you hire a great interpreter begins.
Proper Vetting by High-Quality Standards
When selecting an interpreter, you should verify the interpreter is professionally qualified. Trade associations such as the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) feature explicit guidelines for translators and interpreters to heed.
Its general rules of professional conduct promote quality-driven language services for all members. Day Translations is a member of this association.
The first general rule states: “When undertaking language service commissions, Members shall: ensure that, to the best of their knowledge, the linguists used to carry out commissions are suitably qualified and experienced”.
Not just anyone speaking multiple languages can become an interpreter. An interpreter must embody industry standard qualifications.
A qualified interpreter fulfills a wide array of interpretation needs. A great interpreter will also be experienced within the industry they will be interpreting.
Lack of Proper Vetting During Mizuhara’s Career
Ohtani needed a qualified interpreter for In-person interpreting Services. This form of interpretation requires intimate trust.
Mizuhara claims to have graduated college and interpreted for other Japanese baseball players before Ohtani. Both claims are under dispute. If industry standards set by organizations such as the ATC were followed, Mizuhara wouldn’t have been hired initially in Japan.
Set Clear Policies
You should establish clear policies before using any interpretation service. This ensures all parties are acutely aware of expectations.
Mizuhara signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 as Ohtani’s interpreter. Based on what’s known, it’s unclear what policies were originally established.
Curve Balls Without Clear Policies
Mizuhara became an omnipresent companion to Ohtani. Mizuhara assisted Ohtani in speaking to the media and his coaches. This is a common, acceptable task and would be outlined in policies.
But he was also frequently seen in areas meant only for players, e.g. the player’s lounge and the dugout.
In addition, Mizuhara gained fame after participating in the 2021 Home Run Derby as Ohtani’s catcher. He’s never played any level of organized baseball.
Mizuhara was unqualified to serve as his catcher.
A great interpreter would never participate in activities in which they are not qualified. Clear, easily accessible policies prevent unqualified activities.
Any interpreting between a client and an interpreter should only begin by outlining policies that govern the arrangement. If not, you risk blurred lines between a professional and personal relationship.
Separate Professional Duties from Personal Life Matters
Speaking of blurred lines, the final criterion is to ensure the relationship between the interpreter and the client remains professional.
An interpreter may spend hours daily with a client and build a good rapport. But a great interpreter would never engage unprofessionally with a client.
While working for Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara completed roles outside the scope of an interpreter.
He was seen at basketball games with Ohtani, Universal Studios, and playing video games with him during his free time.
Additionally, Mizuhara allegedly had access to Ohtani’s bank account. An interpreter may be required to access sensitive information for busy clients.
Referring to the general rules of conduct for the Association of Translation Companies, rule four states: “…take reasonable steps to avoid conflicts of interest with clients…and shall make voluntary disclosures to all parties concerned of any matter that may give rise to such a conflict.”
Although sometimes necessary to possess, a great interpreter would never violate their client’s trust by misusing personal data.
Why You Must Select a Great Interpreter for Success
It can’t be overstated how crucial the role of an interpreter is for clear communication. One mistranslation or unethical action can cause a tsunami of consequences.
Proper due diligence is important when you select a great interpreter.
Great interpreters can save you a lot of headaches. They ensure you don’t strike out with your interpretation needs.
Proper vetting, clear policies, and separation of professional duties from personal life matters could have avoided the situation between Ohtani and Mizuhara.