What starting public service interpreters in the EU should know about legislation : the case of Belgium and the Netherlands

Abstract : The interpreting profe ssion weaves its way through a tangled web of legal provi sions. Especially in the areas of immigration, the court, the p olice or social services, third - party rights p lay an important role, and language assistance is needed to act following the law . Freelance i nterpreters are contracted. These interpreters have opt ed for entrepreneurship and private - law relation ships with their clients. T he public - law sphere , however , is very much a part of their activities , through their tra ining, certification, fees they earn , but also taxation . Due to growing professionalization , higher demands are being placed on interpreters . Requirements nowadays are muc h stricter than an oath of faithful translation . This paper discus se s what starting public service interpreters need to know about legal provisions wh en starting their career as entrepreneurs in Belgium and the Netherlands