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 interpretation of discourse, all of which must reflect the correct form and content of authentic interpreting functions encountered in the federal courts. Accordingly, the interpreter is required to demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out these functions bi-directionally. Test items include both formal and informal/colloquial language, technical and legal terminology, and special vocabulary or other specialized language use which is part of the active vocabulary of a highly articulate speaker.
State Certified Court Interpreter: must be able to do sight translation, simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
Otherwise Qualified Court Interpreter (SC): an interpreter who does not possess the minimum standards of proficiency for court interpreting (never took or never passed the oral exam).
Conditionally Approved Interpreter (NC): an interpreter who scored between 60-69% on oral exam who has two years to become certified or is removed as a court interpreter.
ATA Certified Translator: produces a translation that demonstrates compliance with specifications, understanding of the overall content, purpose, and argument of the source document, competent familiarity, and good writing in the target language.
Please remember that if someone completes a certificate program, that does not bestow certification on that individual. Only the US Administrative Office of Courts and the member states of the National Center for State Courts certify court interpreters.
Alfonso Interpreting prides itself on providing competent professionals for your language needs. We have a team of certified court interpreters, conditionally approved court interpreters, otherwise qualified interpreters, and two interpreters personally trained by me.
