LINGUADUKT – INTERCULTURAL INTERPRETING SERVICE
HEKS, the Relief Organisation of the Protestant Churches of Switzerland, created the “Linguadukt” project to offer an intercultural interpreting service in the Cantons of Aargau and Solothurn to tackle the complex linguistic challenges which arise when communicating with foreign language speakers. A qualified team of intercultural interpreters specialises in overcoming the language barrier during conversations in the areas of healthcare, social work and education.
TEXAID and HEKS
TEXAID was founded in 1978 as a charity-based private partnership by HEKS, five other Swiss relief organisations and a private partner. The goal of this partnership was to transform traditional and hitherto independently operated clothing collections into a professional, environmentally friendly and economically viable value chain. The majority of the revenue generated by TEXAID via the sale of the textiles it has collected is donated to its six participating aid agencies. These funds allow HEKS to finance a portion of its own projects. HEKS provides emergency humanitarian aid after natural disasters, as well as during or after armed conflicts. As part of its developmental assistance programme, HEKS also helps to stamp out the causes of poverty, famine and social deprivation in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Other areas of activity include reconstruction assistance in Europe, refugee assistance and aid for socially disadvantaged individuals in Switzerland.
Project background
The “Linguadukt” project was created by HEKS and is partially funded by donations from TEXAID. Thanks to their extensive cultural and social know-how, “Linguadukt” interpreters are able to serve as a language bridge during discussions between qualified professionals and their foreign clients. For institutions, especially those in the fields of healthcare and social work, the targeted use of intercultural interpreters results in improved mutual understanding and increased efficiency.
Quality assurance
Most “Linguadukt” workers are certified interpreters. HEKS encourages the professional development of its employees by way of introductory courses, professional events, supervision and team-building activities. Its interpreters stand out for their ability to provide proficient and unbiased translations in their native and target languages, as well as for their recognition and understanding of social and cultural differences. HEKS selects its interpreters carefully, pays their remuneration and completes all their administrative (including personnel-related) tasks.
The “Linguadukt” project is sponsored by the Aargau/Solothurn Regional Office of HEKS.
Learn more about HEKS and the “Linguadukt” project here.
June 2018