Can I use a translator?

When administering a standardized assessment, it is important that examiners follow standardization procedures as closely as possible. Adherence to standardization is what allows examiners to make justifications regarding an examinee's abilities when compared to their peers within a normative sample.

All examiners seeking to use a translator should be cautioned regarding the reliability of the scores. Administering and scoring a test with the aid of a translator does not adhere to standardized administration procedures, and as such, derived scores may not be valid.

Examiners must document any deviations from standardized administration procedures on their test records and within the final report. The report should explain how the examinee's language differences and/or the alteration of standardized administration procedures (e.g., the use of a translator) may have affected the person's scores, potentially resulting in an underestimation or overestimation of actual achievement levels.

If an examiner chooses to use a translator despite the possibility of reduced reliability and validity, it is recommended that the translator be proficient in all languages involved in the assessment. Furthermore, it is the examiner's responsibility to ensure that the translator understands the standardized conditions under which testing must occur.

Outside of translating necessary information, the translator's involvement in the assessment should be minimal. The examiner must explain to the translator that they must not assist the examinee in any way during testing. The examiner should also emphasize the importance of maintaining test security.

Prior to beginning the assessment, it may be beneficial for the translator to participate in rapport-building with the examinee. During this process, the examiner may also explain the translator's role, particularly if the examinee has not previously worked with a translator.

Summary

Although examiners may use translators when assessing individuals with language differences, it is always preferable to administer assessments that have been standardized and normed in the examinee's dominant language. The use of a translator should be approached with caution, as the resulting scores may not be valid.