The Practice of Court Interpreting

by Alicia B. Edwards

"The Practice of Court Interpreting" describes how the interpreter works in the court room and other legal settings. The book discusses what is involved in court interpreting: case preparation, ethics and procedure, the creation and avoidance of error, translation and legal documents, tape transcription and translation, testifying as an expert witness, and continuing education outside the classroom.The purpose of the book is to provide the interpreter with a map of the terrain and to suggest methods that will help insure an accurate result. The author, herself a practicing court interpreter, says: "The structure of the book follows the structure of the work as we do it."The book is intended as a basic course book, as background reading for practicing court interpreters and for court officials who deal with interpreters.

206 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 1995

Reviews

[Tom Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful primer for anyone interested in court interpreting. Actually, the author has so clearly outlined all of the various elements of the legal system that those wanting to understand this process would do well to read and study this work. Although the material is written with the interpreter in mind, it is useful and helpful for a much wider audience.

As mentioned in the Judge’s remarks, validating the need for interpreter certification, “Dr. Gonzalez found that the language of the law was not common everyday English and that it was something unto itself. Dr. Gonzalez had found that words used in simple hearings never appeared or appeared three times or less in a normal million words of print.” Obvious then, it is important those working in the legal system understand this special vocabulary. The author uses the various elements of the legal system to help the reader understand this complicated and, for most, new language.

There are elements of the book which are dated. This particularly is in regard to the technological elements mentioned as she explains the world of court interpreting. Although the book is over twenty years old and, therefore, has elements which are no long viable (cassette tapes) it deals with an industry (the law) which changes very slowly. For that reason, most of the material she presents is as current as today’s newspaper.

This is a great resource and I highly recommend it. Students, interpreters, lawyers, paralegals, or everyday people can gain valuable insight into this strange and sometimes scary world. They can learn its ins and outs, its ups and downs. Armed with the material presented in this volume, the legal system becomes a tool to be used instead of a dragon to be feared.

[Mabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shared an overall idea of what the Interpreting Career is, and the importance of searching books, movies, videos, etc. about Courts. Very interesting and informative.