The Linguist

I’ve interpreted at four HR disciplinary meetings across various businesses in the past month. These meetings are often emotionally charged, which made me consider the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in HR, both for HR professionals and interpreters. EI is the ability to recognise, understand, manage and use emotions effectively in interactions. It involves being aware of your feelings and those of others and using this awareness to guide your thoughts and behaviour. EI is crucial for interpreters in HR settings, where managing and utilising emotions effectively is essential. Here’s how EI enhances the role of interpreters in HR: ✔ Accurate Interpretation ➖ Emotional Nuance - conveying not just the words but also the emotional tone and nuance of the speaker. ➖ Context Sensitivity - understanding the emotional context of the conversation to provide accurate and empathetic interpretation. ✔ Empathy and Sensitivity ➖ Empathetic Engagement - showing empathy towards all