Accuracy of interpretation may be at-risk
Language proficiency of relatives/friends is usually not been tested and thus put the accuracy of interpretation at-risk.
Confidentiality may not be protected
Relatives/friends may not fully understand the importance of confidentiality. Sometimes, they may disclose information of the interpretation to other party intentionally or unintentionally. For some ethnic minority users, this may make them feel uncomfortable especially when the conversation is about private issues like family problems.
Impartiality and Accuracy may guarantee
Regarding the personal relationship between the ethnic minority users and relative/friends, the later may sometimes take side to one party.
They may omit and avoid interpret the abusive words, conversation perceived as “embarrassing” and “undesirable” with consideration of the ethnic minority users’ feelings.
Some relatives/friends may even speak on behalf of the ethnic minority users instead of interpreting what the users say because they think that t they are familiar with the background and situations of the users |