Interpreter Continuing Education
Court interpreting is a highly skilled profession that requires training, education, experience, and knowledge of legal terminology in both languages. If you are new to court interpreting and would like to receive initial training and gain experience, we encourage you to explore the interpreter training opportunities listed below:
Interpreter Training:
Interpreter Education Online Courses
www.InterpreterEducationOnline.com
services@InterpreterEducationOnline.com
Contact:
Ana Cukovic
Course Administrator
Interpreter Education Online
Phone (313) 872-0787
Fax (888) 225-1912
Cross Cultural Communications
4725 Dorsey Hall Drive,
Suite A-610,
Elllicot City, MD 21042
(410)750-0365
Provides professional training for bilingual staff and community interpreters. Interpreters receive a certificate, which will make them more competitive in the field.
Legal Interpreter Bank
A project of AYUDA
1707 Kalorama Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.ayuda.com
Contact: Ms. Irfana Anwer at (202)243-7317
Provides free interpreter training in exchange for a commitment to accept future assignments.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
Translation Research & Instruction Program
Library Tower 1302
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 777-6726
www.binghamton.edu/trip
trip@binghamton.edu
The Translation Research and Instruction Program is the pedagogical division of the Center for Research in Translation (CRIT). It administers the interdisciplinary curriculum and examination that lead to translator certification. Although most students in the program are matriculated in one of the University degree programs, the translation study courses may be taken as a separate track.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Interpreter Certificate Program (Portuguese)
Center for Professional Education
940 Commonwealth Avenue West
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-4497
www.butrain.com/cpe/legalcert.asp
CPE@BU.EDU
BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Community Interpreting in Spanish Certificate Program
Business and Community Development
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincoln, NJ 07738-1543
(732) 224-2315
www.brookdalecc.edu
The community need for interpreting Spanish to English is critical. The ability to overcome language barriers is essential in a variety of instances that include medical emergencies as well as legal and social situations. This program is designated to train entry-level interpreters for service and employment opportunities. The instructors—all specialists in their respective fields of interpreting—will incorporate “real life” samples of materials and examples of situations that will be encountered in the field. Consecutive interpreting used in medical, legal, and social service situations, as well as simultaneous and sight translation will be covered. Advanced training for the state exam for Court Interpreters will be offered.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
Dr. Gladys Matthews, Director
MA Program in Bilingual Legal Interpreting
University of Charleston
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
(843) 953-4947
lcwa.cofc.edu/legalint/
Masters Degree Program Description The Masters of Arts in Bilingual Legal Interpreting for English-Spanish is the only graduate program in the United States which offers the opportunity to receive the education and training required and expected of a professional degree-holding legal interpreter. The program is a comprehensive, sequenced, and integrated series of courses designed to provide the student with the theoretical foundation, performance competencies, and research skills required of a graduate entering this growing profession. The curriculum consists of 14 courses (42 credits) which can be completed over a two-year period. Eight of the ten courses must be completed at the University of Charleston during two full summers. The teaching faculty who are invited to teach during the summer sessions are among the most qualified professors of interpreting and professional interpreters in North America. The remaining two core courses, a practicum in legal settings and an internship as an apprentice interpreter, may be completed in a court jurisdiction of the student’s choice. Four remaining courses may be taken at another university, subject to approval by the program director, and applied to the program as transfer credit.
Certificate Program Description This certificate program, comprised of existing courses within the present master’s program, will provide the means by which students enrolled in other language oriented graduate programs, as well as other interpreting and translating professionals, can attain the foundational skills in legal interpreting in an abbreviated time frame, generally in one full summer. Students in the program will take four of the courses regularly offered during the summer session.
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Hutchinson Hall, J-309
Union, New Jersey 07083-0411
www.kean.edu/
MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN COLLEGE
221 East 71st Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 774-0780
marymount.mmm.edu/
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Certificate Program in Translation and Interpretation in Spanish
María José Vizcaíno, Director
Spanish/Italian Department
Montclair State University
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 655-4285
chss2.montclair.edu/spanish-italian/stranslation.htm
Montclair State University’s Certificate Program in Translation and Interpretation in Spanish provides basic preparation for entry-level translating and interpreting positions in government, telecommunications, the judiciary, the helping professions, business and the arts. Designed for students who have good speaking and writing skills in both English and Spanish, the four-course sequence focuses on the specific skills of translation and interpretation.
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of French, German, and Russian
Montclair State University
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 655-7422
chss2.montclair.edu/french
This department offers a Translation Concentration for French Majors.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Center for Foreign Languages and Translation
NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies
10 Astor Place, Suite 505
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-7030
www.scps.nyu.edu
scps.foreignlanguages@nyu.edu
- Certificate in Court Interpreting
Spanish/English
www.scps.nyu.edu/departments/certificate.jsp?cerld’155
This program is designed for individuals with a mastery of both languages. As a prerequisite to entering the program, all prospective students must pass an oral proficiency test both in Spanish and English to determine their linguistic competence and general cultural preparation.
- Certificate in Translation
English to Spanish or Spanish to English
scps.nyu.edu/departments/certificate.jsp?cerld’157
This program is intended for linguistically skilled individuals of diverse professional and educational backgrounds who seek to develop abilities in the field of translation.
- Certificate in Translation
French to English, German to English, English to Portuguese, General Translation
www.scps.nyu.edu/dyncon/acfl/cert_tran.html
This program is intended for linguistically skilled individuals of diverse professional and educational backgrounds who seek to develop abilities in the field of translation.
- Online Certificate Programs
scps.nyu.edu/departments/certificate.jsp?cerld’157
This program is available to distance learning students.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Department of Spanish & Portuguese
Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Rutgers, The State University
P.O. Box 270
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0270
(732) 932-9412 x. 25
span-port.Rutgers.edu/ or http://french.rutgers.edu
span-port@rci.rutgers.edu
Certificate of Proficiency in Spanish-English and English-Spanish Translation
OBJECTIVE: To provide students with the opportunity to gain competence in Spanish-English and English-Spanish translation. The program will train students in a skill which can be applied to future employment in connection with such major fields as Banking, Business, Journalism, Legal Translation and Social Services.
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Anderson Hall, Room 450
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-1706
www.temple.edu/spanpor
haldaron@unix.temple.edu
UNION COUNTY COLLEGE
Interpreting Spoken Language Certificate Program
Elizabeth Campus E-500
12 West Jersey Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
(908) 965-2345
faculty.ucc.edu/fineart-difiore
The Interpreting Spoken Language Program trains bilingual individuals in the basic skills needed for professional work in interpreting and translating. Union County College offers three courses as part of a certificate program. Students from all language backgrounds may study in the program.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: A high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language is required for entrance into these courses. The College provides a placement test in English. Those wishing to study in this course must finish all developmental English and ESL requirements before registering for interpreting courses. Evaluation in one’s other language is done by the student her/himself or in consultation with the coordinator of the program. It is recommended that the student have some college education in that language and be fluent both in speaking and writing.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR INTERPRETATION
University of Arizona
Modern Languages Bldg., Room 445
Tucson, AZ 95721
(520) 621-3615
nci.arizona.edu/
ncitrp@u.arizona.edu
Summer Institute:
This is an intensive three-week course offered every summer to help beginning and intermediate court interpreters develop their interpretation abilities and to help advanced or working interpreters hone their skills. Advanced, intensive program alternatives are available for experienced federal and state certified interpreters.
Special Weekend Seminars (Friday-Sunday)
These will be held at least four times throughout the year in Tucson to assist candidates in preparing for the federal written and oral, as well as state, exams. In addition, traveling seminars are available to groups of 15 or more elsewhere.
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BOSTON
Division of Corporate, Continuing and Distance Education
University of Massachusetts, Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
www.conted.umb.edu
Department of Hispanic Studies (617) 287-7550
This intensive six-credit undergraduate certificate program has been specially designed to provide qualified applicants with a comprehensive introduction to professional court interpretation. The program teaches the fundamentals of theory and practice through classroom discussion and activities, as well as through laboratory exercises designed to develop interpreting proficiency. Novice and experienced interpreters will benefit equally from extensive practice. Students will devote additional time out of class to court visits and to fulfill oral and written assignments. Not offered as an online course as of 2006.
WILLIAM PATTERSON UNIVERSITY
Center for Continuing Education and Distance Learning
P.O. Box 913
Wayne, NJ 07474-0913
(973) 720-2491
www.wpunj.edu/ce
OTHER RESOURCES
American Translators Association (ATA)
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-6100
ata@atanet.org
www.atanet.org/
A national not-for-profit association established in 1959, ATA has over 6,500 members throughout the US and abroad. Among its professional activities, it holds an annual conference every fall, publishes a monthly magazine, The ATA Chronicle, and offers accreditation in several language pairs.
Maryland Association of Court Interpreters & Translators (MACIT) - www.macit2007.org
The American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS)
www.taals.net/
Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training (DO IT) Center
1059 Alton Way, Box 7
Denver, CO 80230
au.frcc.cccoes.edu/~doit/
The DO IT Center has traditionally offered the following courses:
Diagnostic Assessment and Skills Training Series
This is a yearlong series comprised of three courses. Self-instructional packets will lead students through structured skill development activities targeting individual needs. WebCT will serve as the online classroom for discussion and collaborations during the completion of self-instructional materials.Prior Learning Assessment
This 15-week online course introduces you to the process of creating a professional portfolio and provides you with the opportunity to systematically collect materials that effectively demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have developed.Interpreting in the American Legal System
This online course is comprised of four courses distributed over four semesters. A one-week onsite supervised practicum in Denver, CO is associated with the final course.*You must meet your state’s requirements to interpret in legal settings to apply for these courses.
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
603 Stewart St., Suite 610
Seattle, Washington 98101
Tel: 206-267-2300
headquarters@najit.org
www.najit.org/
New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies
The American Language Institute
NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies
48 Cooper Square, Room 200
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-7200
scpsinfo@nyu.edu
www.scps.nyu.edu/ali
Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS)
P.O. Box 25301
Seattle, WA 98165-2201 USA
(206) 382-5642
info@notisnet.org
www.notisnet.org
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
333 Commerce Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-0030 V
(703) 838-0459 TTY
www.rid.org/
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., is a national membership organization of professionals who provide sign language interpreting/transliterating services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons.
Rutgers, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Continuing Education (FASCE)
FASCE Corporate Program, Tillett 107
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
53 Avenue E
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8040
(732) 932-5937
fasce.rutgers.edu/eslce.htm
FASCE offers courses in accent improvement for persons who have a strong command and fluency in English, but who wish to increase their intelligibility in English. Courses are scheduled BY ARRANGEMENT and registrations are accepted at any time.
American English Accent Improvement, FAS-470
American English Accent Improvement Tutorial, FAS-471
American English Accent Improvement Tutorial, FAS-472
FASCE offers other courses for professional development in spoken English as a second language:
Speaking English Professionally
Vocabulary and Grammar for Effective Speech
Presentation Skills for Nonnative Speakers of English
Speech and Accent Assessment
SELF-HELP TRAINING RESOURCES
ACEBO
P.O. Box 7485
Spreckels, CA 93962
(831) 455-1507
www.acebo.com
AGNESE HAURY INSTITUTE FOR COURT INTERPRETATION
University of Arizona
Modern Languages Bldg. #67, Room 445
Tucson, AZ 95721
(520) 621-3685
nci.arizona.edu/ahi.shtml
ALICIA ERNAND PRODUCTIONS
P.O. Box 802382
Santa Clarita, CA 91380-2382
(661) 296-4682
www.aliciaernand.com/
COURT TV
www.courttv.com
THE NCRA STORE
The National Court Reporters Association
8224 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, VA 22182-3808
800-272-6272
www.ncraonline.org
STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS
Berk-Seligson, Susan. THE BILINGUAL COURTROOM: COURT INTERPRETERS IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, (with a new chapter), 2002. University of Chicago Press, 1427 East 60th Street, Chicago, Il 60637. www.press.uchicago.edu
Colin, Joan and Ruth Morris. INTERPRETERS AND THE LEGAL PROCESS. Winchester: Waterside Press, 1996. Available from the publisher at www.watersidepress.co.uk
Crooker, Constance Emerson. THE ART OF LEGAL INTERPRETATION. Continuing Education Press, Portland State University, P.O. Box 1394, Portland, OR 97207-1394. www.cep.pdx.edu
de Jongh, Elena M. AN INTRODUCTION TO COURT INTERPRETING: THEORY & PRACTICE, 1992. University Press of America, Inc., 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706. www.univpress.com
Edwards, Alicia Betsy. THE PRACTICE OF COURT INTERPRETING, 1995. John Benjamins North America, P.O. Box 27519, Philadelphia PA 19118. www.benjamins.com
Gonzalez, Rosann Duenas, Victoria E. Vasquez, and Holly Mikkelson. FUNDAMENTALS OF COURT INTERPRETATION: THEORY, POLICY AND PRACTICE. Carolina Academic Press, 700 Kent Street, Durham, NC 27701. www.cap-press.com
Hewitt, William E. COURT INTERPRETATION: MODEL GUIDES FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE IN THE STATE COURTS. Williamsburg, VA: National Center for State Courts, 1995. This book is out of print, but it can be downloaded from www.ncsconline.org
Mikkelson, Holly. INTRODUCTION TO COURT INTERPRETING, 2000. www.intransbooks.com
Palma, Janis. INTRODUCTION TO JUDICIARY INTERPRETING. National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators, 2150 N. 107th St., Suite 205 Seattle, WA 98133. www.najit.org/
PROTEUS, THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCATION OF JUDICIARY INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS. www.najit.org/proteus/proteus.html
Salimbene, Franklin. COURT INTERPRETERS: STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND STANDARDS FOR TRAINING. Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy. 6 (3), Spring 1997, 645-672.