Muhammad Gamal - Humanities

657quality and integrity of the interpreting profession the user should be able toselect their own interpreters.INTERPRETER ACCREDITATIONIn Australia, interpreters gain their accreditation to practice through threeoptions: recognition of overseas interpreting qualifications, a completion of anapproved interpreting course in Australia or the successful completion of aninterpreting examination conducted by the National Accreditation Authority ofTranslators and Interpreters (NAATI) which is the only government institution incharge of the professional accreditation of interpreters and translators.However, NAATI accreditation is akin to licensing and not a registration board.Once the NAATI accreditation has been obtained, the interpreter is on theirown: they can choose which area to work in and can decide on professionaldevelopment the way they see fit. Likewise, NAATI has very little authority overaccredited interpreters. In the essentially free-lance, ad hoc practice ofcommunity interpreting, some interpreters specialize in an area they like (i.e.school meetings) or in an area that provides more work (social security).Naturally, there are several other equally valid factors that impact on workchoices and practices such as: registration with big translation agencies, lifeexperience, academic qualifications, the suitability of a freelance style ofemployment, professional development and Arabic language skills. The latteris a significant factor.