About the Aboriginal Interpreter Service
The Aboriginal Interpreter Service in the Northern Territory (NT) has all of the following:
- about 30 interpreters on staff covering the major languages of the NT
- more than 270 active casual interpreters covering close to 100 languages and dialects
- seven trainers from backgrounds such as linguistics, health, adult education and law.
The service develops professional and accurate registered interpreters.
Interpreters are trained to interpret accurately and be impartial.
It is a skilled profession and an intellectually demanding role. Find out how to become an Aboriginal interpreter.
What services are available
Interpreter services include:
- face to face interpreting
- video or phone interpreting
- recording and scripting projects.
The Aboriginal Interpreter Service doesn't help with translating written documents.
How much does it cost
Different services cost different amounts. The total cost of a project will depend on how much time it takes and if it includes travel and accommodation fees.
Find out more about fees for interpreter services.
Benefits of using a registered Aboriginal interpreter
By working with a registered interpreter, you will get the following benefits:
- professional and accurate interpreting
- confidentiality
- impartial service
- follow-up by AIS on any issues or complaints.
To find out more about AIS and what it does:
- Why do I need an interpreter?
- Creating a better understanding
- The importance of understanding each other
- Behaviour to avoid while using an interpreter
- Reasons for using professional interpreters
- How to use an interpreter
- Getting the most out of your interpreter experience (Part 1)
- Getting the most out of your interpreter experience (Part 2)
- A better outcome for everyone
Risks of using other interpreters
Using other untrained bilingual people to perform this role, such as relatives, friends and other employees, can have serious consequences, such as:
- breach of privacy and confidentiality
- lack of impartiality
- filtering of information to protect their relative or friends
- inability to cope with subject matter or specialised terminology.
Read more about Aboriginal interpreter training.
Local language recordings about the Aboriginal Interpreter Service
To help you understand what the Aboriginal Interpreter Service does, you can listen to one of these audio recordings.
They are available in 17 Aboriginal languages.
- Alyawarr WAV (5.5 MB)
- Anindilyakwa WAV (4.6 MB)
- Anmatyerr WAV (5.5 MB)
- Burarra WAV (5.3 MB)
- Djambarrpuyngu WAV (5.1 MB)
- Eastside Kriol WAV (5.3 MB)
- Eastern/ Central Arrernte WAV (5.4 MB)
- Gurindji Kriol WAV (3.8 MB)
- Kunwinjku WAV (5.5 MB)
- Maung WAV (5.5 MB)
- Modern Tiwi WAV (5.5 MB)
- Murrinh Patha WAV (5.5 MB)
- Pitjantjatjara-Yankunytjatjara WAV (5.5 MB)
- Warlpiri WAV (5.4 MB)
- Warumungu WAV (5.3 MB)
- Western Arrarnta WAV (5.0 MB)
You can read the following transcripts of the audio recordings in English:
Last updated: 27 June 2022
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