What is crucial for an interpreter to maintain during a community interpreting session?

Maintaining a neutral and unbiased stance is critical for an interpreter during a community interpreting session because the interpreter's primary role is to facilitate communication between parties without influencing the content or the context of the conversation. This neutral position helps to ensure that all parties understand and are understood accurately, fostering trust and clarity in the interaction. An interpreter who is biased or expresses personal opinions risks distorting the message, which can lead to misunderstandings and potentially harm the relationship between the parties involved.

Being unbiased contributes to the interpreter's professionalism, ensuring that they respect the views and feelings of all parties. This neutrality not only supports effective communication but also upholds ethical standards in interpretation, which is essential in community settings where sensitive and personal issues may arise.