为重要会议或交涉在中国和外国商人之间，口译员能扮演一个重要角色。 在某些情况下，中国边也许提供一，而外国商人也许在某些情况下感觉更加舒适聘用他们自己。 在一个或两个党也许能合理地沟通用英语和汉语处，仍然有许多好处到有口译员：

• 按照说明在早先文章上，有西部和中国社会之间的许多文化差异在会议和交涉过程中。  一个口译员在您的边可帮助您通过形式排序。
• 用于英语和隐喻的许多例子，不直接地成汉语和反之亦然翻译。  一个好口译员能通过也翻译例子和隐喻得到点入更加相关的事能由听众了解。
• 口译员可帮助您避免做共同的失态，通过改正他们为您在翻译期间。  共同的错误包括对听众演讲以错误标题，不显示足够的尊敬到您的主人或不造成某人丢失面孔。

如果您选择使用口译员，这一些共同的Dos。

• 那里有口译员为双方，让您的口译员翻译您的评论并且让中国党的口译员翻译他们的评论。  那里只有一个口译员，当然他们将预计翻译双方。
• 限制口译员的角色到只翻译。  许多商人在谈判的过程中犯错误盼望口译员也帮助。  这也是为什么这是最佳使用不是开始的您的党的部分的口译员，避免混淆他们的角色。
• 限制您的评论给口译员时刻适当地翻译他们。  长和复杂化您的讲话是，越可能的在翻译也许有遗漏或差错。
• 讲话在清楚的口气，相似您与别人会谈话用英语的那。  许多人减速他们的讲话或者人为地提高他们的声音。  这，当处理一个好口译员时，通常没有需要。  听的党更在那些方面观察您的肢体语言在过程中，并且能读任何激情和热情您有在您的声音，如此焦点。
• Do try to keep your points as simple and direct as possible, while trying to avoid slang, metaphors or examples that may not relate well in Chinese.  While some interpreters may be able to translate common slang and metaphors on the fly, it is better not to assume that the meaning will be interpreted clearly.
• When speaking, do phrase your lines and speeches at the listening party.  Many people make the mistake of addressing the interpreter, leaving the listening party feeling left out of the conversation.

While there are clear benefits to having a good interpreter working for you, it is also to important to realize that it can be extremely damaging to the meeting or negotiating process, if you have an ineffective translator.  Common ways to recognize a problem with your interpretor include:

• Frequent hesitation on the part of the interpretor when translating your comments
• Constant need on your part or the other party’s part to repeat statements or comments made earlier, due to lack of clarity from the other side
• Lack of understanding of technical terms by the interpreter, resulting in further explanation that slows down the dialogue process
• Frequent additions or clarifications of statements by either side, due to a feeling that their meaning isn’t getting across clearly

When faced with a situation like this, it may be more beneficial to halt the meeting and find a suitable replacement for the interpreter, rather than continue with an ineffective process.
For more detailed descriptions of the points in this article, read “Chinese Business Etiquette” by Scott D. Seligman.