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Court Interpreting, Language Justice and Covid-19

Court Interpreting, like every occupation and industry, has had to evolve with the challenges presented by Covid-19. When public health mandates required a reduction of foot-traffic in public spaces, court interpreting moved largely online via technology allowing for remote interpreting services like VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) and OPI (Over the Phone Interpreting). Courts started using AI through virtual assistants, and multiple courts started using tech for jury operations. Court interpreters have heavily relied on courts enhancing tech infrastructure to meet the demands of a modern, and socially distanced society. Which begs the question: how has language justice been affected by Covid-19, and what role does technology play in court interpreting?

Phone Interpreting: 3 Do’s & Don’ts for Immigration Interpreters

Phone Interpreting or Over the Phone Interpreting (OPI) is quickly demonstrating the importance of providing language accessibility services. Phone Interpreting is a popular form of remote interpreting, that allows the interpreter to provide services without needing to be being physically present themselves. As we continue to live through a worldwide pandemic with all the conveniences of modern technology, remote interpreting services like OPI and VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) are essential. According to the latest census bureau statistics (2020), there are currently 329.5 million people living in the United States, where 85.7 million or 26% account for the resident immigrant population; of whom 17 million report speaking a language other than English. Regardless of whether their stay will be permanent or not, they will require legal services and need to communicate with people outside of their family; in addition to the medical attention that human beings sometimes require, especially during a global pandemic. When it comes to increasing language accessibility services during immigration proceedings, phone and remote interpreting services provide the tools required for expansion. Whether you are considering a career switch or just starting out, here are some Do's and Don'ts to keep in mind while on the job:

Certified Community Interpreters, VRI and Law Enforcement

Certified community interpreters provide interpreting as a public services and strive to bring language accessibility to communities that are struggling with language barriers. Their work is extremely important for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities across the world; especially when the consequences of misunderstanding an officer can be dangerous. The goal for community interpreters is to effectively translate both sides of the conversation to create a smoother, more comfortable interaction for everyone involved. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, every profession has recently moved to a remote platform, resulting in a heightened demand for Video Remote Interpreting technology. Consisting of cameras, microphones and high-speed internet connection, interpreters can provide sign language or spoken language translating services remotely. Modern video conference technology allows community interpreters to communicate for the LEP individual during police stops happening hundreds of miles away. In this day and age, highly televised police interactions and their subsequent protests that involve racial or ethnic minorities, continue to illustrate the importance for law enforcement to build trusting relationships with the communities they serve.

Becoming Certified In Legal Interpreting Requires 3 Important Skills

Becoming certified in legal interpreting takes a lot of hard work, but offers a rewarding career. Bilingual individuals who can demonstrate fluency in another language (can speak, read, write and understand formal and informal versions of the language) in addition to English, can find meaningful work with online legal interpreter training. While some interpreters may strictly interpret what is spoken- legal interpreters will most likely work as translators as well. In the most simple terms, the main difference between interpretation and translation is that interpreting deals with spoken language in real time and translation focuses on written content. In addition to ensuring verbal and written communication is top notch, communication in courtroom proceedings is understandably more complex than in everyday life. For example, legal language training must include legal terminology, formal and informal registers of speech, as well as dialect and jargon in both English and the translated language. Online legal interpreter training provides the building blocks for the level of confidence that is required in the courtroom to become successful, by equipping students with 3 important interpreting skills:

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