Legal Interpreting

SC Judicial Department’s Need for a Uniform Standard in Scheduling Interpreters

Legal Interpreting / EOAlfonso / May 10, 2019 / certified interpreter, legal interpreting services, South Carolina Courts Scheduling interpreters

In South Carolina courts, who is responsible for scheduling an interpreter? One would think that this could all be done through one central office that oversees the interpreter services in all South Carolina courts, right? Not so fast. Only Massachusetts has a central office that schedules interpreters for all state courts. Usually, a county clerk […]

0 Shares

SC Judicial Department’s Need for a Uniform Standard in Scheduling Interpreters Read More »

The Biggest Court Interpreting Problem in SC

1 Comment / Ethics, Legal Interpreting / EOAlfonso / April 22, 2019 / certified court interpreter, certified interpreter, Court, Court Interpreting, legal interpreter, Legal Interpreting

As mentioned in previous blogs, South Carolina has a shortage of certified court interpreters, especially in languages other than Spanish (LOTS). Even if approximately two dozen Spanish interpreters were enough, the fact is that they often prefer to turn down assignments. This means that the actual pool of available certified interpreters is a lot less

0 Shares

The Biggest Court Interpreting Problem in SC Read More »

Certified Legal Translator?

Legal Interpreting, Translation, Uncategorized, Workers' Comp / EOAlfonso / March 31, 2019 / certified court interpreter, certified interpreter, certified translation services, certified translator

In the United States, there is no such designation of Certified Legal Translator. Translators deal with the written word; interpreters deal with the spoken word. Below are the only designations in the US dealing with law and language: Federally Certified Court Interpreter: must perform the three modes of court interpreting: sight translation and simultaneous and consecutive

0 Shares

Certified Legal Translator? Read More »

The Extraordinarily Difficult Nature of Legal Interpreting

2 Comments / Legal Interpreting, Workers' Comp / Jeffrey Alfonso / February 28, 2019 / court interpreter, Court Interpreting, legal interpreter, Legal Interpreting, legal translation

Trust me, legal interpreting is not for the faint of heart. There are daunting encounters for professional court interpreters. First, they must be experts in their language pair(s). Second, they must have accurate knowledge of current legal terminology. Third, they must always maintain neutrality and professionalism. However, one of the greatest obstacles legal interpreters face

0 Shares

The Extraordinarily Difficult Nature of Legal Interpreting Read More »

Interpreters Must Adhere to Rules of Professional Conduct

Legal Interpreting / EOAlfonso / January 8, 2019 / Court, court interpreter, Court Interpreting, Enterpreting Ethics, Legal Interpreting, legal interpreting services

In every profession, we have those on the cutting edge, as well as those who believe there is no school like the old school. As legal professionals hone their abilities, a monkey wrench is often hurled at them when the services of a certified court interpreter are required. For those who have never been trained,

0 Shares

Interpreters Must Adhere to Rules of Professional Conduct Read More »

How My Certified Court Colleagues May Be Sabotaging Themselves

6 Comments / Legal Interpreting / Jeffrey Alfonso / December 29, 2018 / certified court interpreter, certified interpreter, certified translation services, certified translator, court interpreter, interpretation agency, interpretation company, interpreted language, interpreter, interpreter services, interpreting services, language translation, language translator, legal interpreter, legal interpreting services, legal translation, spanish translator, translation agency, translation company, translation services

In the past, we had an attorney angrily complain about our independent certified court interpreter. She was furious because the certified interpreter continually paused and reminded her to speak directly to the deponent. The attorney kept forgetting; she kept speaking to the interpreter. After a while, the attorney became frustrated with his constant reminders. She

0 Shares

How My Certified Court Colleagues May Be Sabotaging Themselves Read More »

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court Part II

Legal Interpreting / EOAlfonso / November 16, 2018 / Court, court interpreter, language services, Legal Interpreting, Workers compensation

Last month we discussed three action items to minimize violations against your client’s due process rights. To close 2018, here are the remaining action items that empower you to solve the issue. As soon as a court date is scheduled, notify the clerk’s office what kind of certified court interpreter is needed (for common

0 Shares

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court Part II Read More »

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court

Legal Interpreting / EOAlfonso / October 29, 2018 / Court, court interpreter, Court Interpreting, ethics, Legal Interpreting, Workers compensation

South Carolina has become a larger melting pot since the 1990s. Today in Spartanburg, there is a decent Russian language community. In Laurens, there are many Guatemalans for whom Spanish is their second language. South Carolina has pockets of Asian communities. French and German speakers also abound. Let us not forgot those who are hearing

0 Shares

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court Read More »

AI versus Court Interpreter

Communication, Ethics, Interpreting, Legal Interpreting, Spanish Interpreting, Translation, Uncategorized / EOAlfonso / September 29, 2018 / A.I., AI, artificial intelligence, Court, court interpreter, Court Interpreting, ethics, evidence, interpret, interpreters, interpreting, language services, law enforcement, Legal Interpreting, search and seizure, Translation, translators

I have been watching the debate on artificial intelligence. Many translators will attest that only highly skilled human beings with knowledge and training can understand the nuances of human interaction can properly translate. Artificial intelligence such as Google Translate and other programs are not capable of performing as a human being. Granted, they are

0 Shares

AI versus Court Interpreter Read More »

The Problem with Using a bilingual Police Officer Instead of a Professional Interpreter

Legal Interpreting / Jeffrey Alfonso / August 20, 2018 / Court, court interpreter, Court Interpreting, Interpreting for police, language services, Legal Interpreting, Police department, Police officer, Workers compensation, workers' comp

It’s understandable that the police department wishes to spend taxpayer dollars in a responsible way. Certified and quality professional interpreters are not cheap. Some departments might think it wise to utilize their bilingual officers to conduct interviews or interrogations. However, there are powerful arguments for using a professional court interpreter, especially if she is certified.

0 Shares

The Problem with Using a bilingual Police Officer Instead of a Professional Interpreter Read More »

SC Judicial Department’s Need for a Uniform Standard in Scheduling Interpreters

The Biggest Court Interpreting Problem in SC

Certified Legal Translator?

The Extraordinarily Difficult Nature of Legal Interpreting

Interpreters Must Adhere to Rules of Professional Conduct

How My Certified Court Colleagues May Be Sabotaging Themselves

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court Part II

Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court

AI versus Court Interpreter

The Problem with Using a bilingual Police Officer Instead of a Professional Interpreter

Quick LInks

Activity

Request for Customized Course

Request for Customized Course

Contact Us