What Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Are Required to Be a Court Interpreter?
Court interpreting is a profession that demands high levels of knowledge and skills. Many people do not realize that merely speaking two languages is hardly sufficient. If you want to perform at the level of a professional court interpreter, you must: • Possess a highly educated, native-like mastery of both English and a second language. • Possess a broad knowledge of the court system in general and the procedural components of all major case types as well as ancillary venues where interpreting services are required • Possess a thorough knowledge of the specialized terminology used by judges and lawyers • Possess wide general knowledge characteristic of what a minimum of two years of general education at a college or university would provide. • Perform the three modes of court interpreting, using them when appropriate: • Sight interpreting (also called sight translating)–oral translation of documents, e.g., presentence reports, letters to judges, birth certificates, etc.; • Consecutiv
