text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  means that something is happening––your task is to find out what it
  means.
  • Unusual pauses. Look for a longer delay than usual before the
  translation begins. Unless it is a vocabulary or concept issue, the long
  delay means that the interpreter is “thinking” before he translates.
  Any thinking beyond what is needed to translate, as closely as possible,
  what was just said represents a potential problem. Again, you should
  establish a base line of behavior for your interpreter so you can
  recognize these unusual pauses.
  • “Wrong” reactions. If you say something humorous that should provoke
  a positive response from the source, and you do not get that response,
  then you should wonder if the message got through. If the source
  becomes upset in response to something (positive) you said, then you
  should begin to wonder what message was passed by the interpreter.
  Did you fail to express yourself clearly, or was it an accidental or
  deliberate mistranslation?
  11-26. A trusted linguist should periodically review the accuracy of the
  interpreter’s translations by monitoring an interrogation or debriefing and
  critiquing the monitored interpreter’s performance.
  INTERPRETER SUPPORT IN REPORT WRITING
  11-27. The interpreter assists the HUMINT collector in preparing all
  required reports. He may be able to fill gaps and unclear details in the
  HUMINT collector’s notes. He may also assist in transliterating, translating,
  and explaining foreign terms.
  EVALUATING THE INTERPRETER
  11-28. After submitting all reports, the HUMINT collector evaluates the
  performance of his interpreter. This should be done in writing, and copies
  should be given to the interpreter and placed on file with the individual
  managing the HUMINT collection portion of the interpreter program. The
  interpreter program manager needs to develop a standard evaluation format
  for inclusion in the unit SOP. The evaluation forms should note at a
  minimum:
  • Administrative data (for example, date, time, interpreter’s name).
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the interpreter with any problems and
  corrective actions taken.
  • Type of interpretation used (simultaneous or alternate).
  • Type of HUMINT operation the interpretation was supporting (that is,
  an interrogation, a debriefing, a liaison meeting).
  • Ability or lack of ability of the interpreter to use specific technical
  language that may have been required.
  • Name or collector number of the HUMINT collector.
  11-29. The interpreter program manager uses these forms to decide on future
  use of the interpreters, to develop training programs for the interpreters, and
  to assign interpreters to make maximum use of their specific capabilities.