Interpreting for Syrian Refugees in Turkey

The arrival of 3.5 million Syrian refugees has put pressure on some public services in Turkey. To mitigate language challenges, interpreters have been called upon to facilitate Syrian refugees’ access to these services. However, there has been limited research into the profiles and training needs of those interpreters. This article partly reports on a survey conducted with 27 interpreters. The data reveals that while these interpreters are often educated to university level, they frequently lack specialised training in interpreting. When training is provided, it is typically conducted on-thejob, although Public Service Interpreting courses are gaining traction. Crucially, this contribution advocates for enhanced training, particularly when working with trauma survivors.