Interpretation
Interpreting is a process that requires the interpreter to listen to a message in the original language, which is called the source language, and render that message in a different language, called the TARGET language, bridging the communication gap between speakers or signers of different languages.
There are three modes of interpretation: Consecutive, Simultaneous, and Sight Translation. The three modes of interpretation require the interpreter to understand the message, analyze it, transfer it into the target language mentally, and, finally, reformulate the message in the target language.
Simultaneous Interpretation
Consecutive interpretation
Sight Translation
Our interpreters are highly skilled linguists certified by local, national or international certification bodies. Our multicultural team of interpreters goes through rigorous, training and testing protocols before being accepted as part of our team. Target Translations and Interpretations provides skill building seminars for all of our interpreters, as well as quality control reviews based on our customer’s feedback.
Court Interpretation
Court interpretation is not a language right; it is an access right.
Our Certified Court Interpreters work with the court system to provide language access to the judicial system for those who do not speak English or do not speak English fluently. Court Interpreters interpret for witnesses, defendants, victims and their families as well as legal representatives and officers of the Court and staff. Our professional interpreters preserve the same tone and connotation as the speaker without adding, deleting or amending anything from the conversation, following a strict Code of Professional Conduct/Code of Ethics.
Court Interpreters work in the three modes of interpretation:
- Simultaneous interpretation. Because of its complexity, our interpreters work in pairs and utilize simultaneous interpreting equipment
- Consecutive interpretation
- Sight translation
Medical interpretation
Medical interpreting is not a language right; it is an access right.
Our Professional and Certified Medical Interpreters routinely work in different healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices and laboratories to name a few. Our medical interpreters are highly educated and trained individuals who have undergone rigorous training and testing mastering capabilities in the following areas:
- Professional standards and ethics of medical interpreting
- Cultural competency
- Techniques for managing the flow of patient/provider interactions
- Medical vocabulary at the same level of competency in at least two languages.
- Memory and note-taking skills for improved accuracy
- Important facts on the health care system and governing confidentiality national laws
- The main interpretation methods used in health care
Medical interpretation is most effective when offered by in-person interpreters who primarily use the consecutive mode of interpretation. Advances in technology have allowed the use of Video Remote Interpreting as a viable alternative when an in-person interpreter is not available. In order to ensure patients’ safety and well-being, it is of the utmost importance that only certified and/or professionally qualified interpreters (for those languages with no formal certification presently available) are engaged in this delicate interaction between health care providers and patients who do not speak English or require sign language to communicate.
Conference Interpretation
Our Conference Certified Interpreters work during conferences, seminars, business meetings, workshops and tours providing language access to the people participating in the event. Because of its complexity, our interpreters work in teams of two according to their respective language pairs and utilize simultaneous interpreting equipment. Professional Conference Interpreters listen to the speech in the speaker’s language (source) and render their interpretation in the audience’s language(s) (Target) simultaneously, with a lag of only a few seconds. The audience hears the interpretation in real time via receiver headsets we provide set for their specific language. Thus, the speaker is able to deliver an uninterrupted presentation while the audience may react to the message in real time.
Working in a legal setting requires advanced interpreting competency, including the ability to effectively perform consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, as well as sight translating complex texts that may come up during court proceedings. It is imperative to work effectively in interpreting teams, including particularly the ability to work collaboratively with Deaf Interpreters (DIs), and to adapt language use to a wide range of sign language users. Further, it requires court interpreters to own an in depth understanding of law enforcement and the legal system.
FAQ’S
1. Do I need a court interpreter?
Language Access is a Legal Right
There are multiple situations in which the appointment of a court interpreter will be appropriate. Generally speaking, it is when an individual’s full participation in a court proceeding is placed in jeopardy due to a language gap where the individual is unable to adequately understand or express themselves in English will the individual need to have a qualified spoken language court interpreter assigned to them. Other cases that may call for the appointment by the court of a court interpreter include but are not limited to the following: juvenile delinquency, circuit, and county criminal cases, mental and physical health proceedings, and domestic violence injunctions. Even though court interpreters are essential to those court proceedings in which they are duly needed, it is important to note that court interpreters will not always be provided by the courts and it is then that appropriate arrangements for their interpreting services must be made.
2. What is over the phone interpreting?
Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) is a Remote Interpreting Services and is offered by most companies and organizations. Rather than face-to-face interpretation or translations, all of the work is done remotely.
3. Do courts provide interpreters?
Yes, they do. They are provided by the Court Services Branch, and stay with you in the court hearing to translate any information needed. Anything outside of the court room, you would need to provide your own interpreter. For ex. If you are needed to talk with the court staff, you would need a separate interpreter.
4. How do I translate a document for immigration?
For any kind of document that needs to be translated and considered “certified”, the translator would need to write a formal letter stating their qualification and showing their competency in both the source language and the target language.
