Why should you have mediation scripts?

• A. They slow you down.
• B. They replace the interpreter's interpreting role.
• C. They help prepare for various situations ahead of time so their energy can go to the action; they should be short, accurate, and effective.
• D. They are unnecessary in most situations.

Answer: (C)

Mediation scripts are tools you prepare ahead of time to bridge cultural and conceptual gaps so your energy can stay on guiding the interaction and acting when needed. They give you short, ready phrases to check understanding, suggest clarifications, and gently reframe cultural nuances without long pauses. With these scripts, you’re equipped to handle common situations—confirming what a speaker wants, explaining a concept in plain language, addressing a cultural misunderstanding, or requesting a moment to ensure accuracy—so you can respond quickly and accurately rather than scrambling for words in the moment.

The scripts should be brief, precise, and effective, so they aid you without slowing the flow of communication. They aren’t meant to replace your interpretive role; you still convey meaning and maintain neutrality, but the scripts support you in mediating more smoothly. And they’re valuable in most situations, especially where cultural context or urgent understanding is at stake, because they help you navigate effectively rather than leaving room for misinterpretation.