How does one study to become an interpreter working in the courts?
Full bilingual proficiency, ample vocabulary, and knowledge of standard grammar are prerequisites. Judiciary interpreter training normally focuses on ethics, specialized vocabulary, development of consecutive and simultaneous interpretation skills, and sight translation practice. Periodically there are short-term seminars and workshops around the country offered by state court interpreter programs, by local interpreter and translators associations, or by national associations. You may want to contact your state supreme court interpreter program to see if your state has training seminars scheduled and to request that they include you on their list for notification of any future training seminars. NAJIT’s Resources Page has many links to these organizations. An excellent way to keep abreast of course offerings and many other judiciary interpreting and translating related matters is to join NAJIT. Membership entitles you to receive NAJIT’s quarterly newsletter, Proteus, and periodic Cyber
