Best Practices for Working with Interpreters and Clients

Best Practices for Working with Interpreters and Clients with Limited English Proficiency NAJIT Bench and Bar Committee 2016 -2017: Ernest Niño-Murcia (Chair), Magdalena Girón, Armida Hernandez, Ana Silvestri, Elizabeth Torres, Vinka Valdivia

Defining Key Terms • • • Source Language Target Language Interpreting Translation Linguistic Presence L. E. P.

Language Proficiency • Limited English Proficient (LEP) • Conversational vs. Advanced Fluency • Technical registers

Component Skills of Interpreting Subject. Specific Vocabulary Language

Subject-Specific Vocabulary • Expert Witnesses • Legalese – Common words with uncommon usage • Charge (arraignment vs. jury charge) • Discovery ≠ Descubrimiento (false cognate in Spanish)

Component Skills of Interpreting Subject. Specific Vocabulary Language Interpreting Skills

Modes of Interpreting: Sight Translation Sample Legal Text: Plea Form Computer Crime Prevention Fund Penalty, N. J. S. A. 2 C: 43 -3. 8. If the crime involves a violation of N. J. S. A. 2 C: 24 -4 b(5)(b) (knowingly possessing or knowingly viewing child pornography, N. J. S. A. 2 C: 343 (selling, distributing or exhibiting obscene material to a person under age 18) or an offense involving computer criminal activity in violation of any provision of Title 2 C, chapter 20, you will be assessed a mandatory penalty as listed below for each offence for which you plead guilty? USED FOR: • Documents SKILLS:

Modes of Interpreting: Sight Translation PLEA FORM Computer Crime Prevention Fund Penalty, N. J. S. A. 2 C: 43 -3. 8. If the crime involves a violation of N. J. S. A. 2 C: 24 -4 b(5)(b) (knowingly possessing or knowingly viewing child pornography, N. J. S. A. 2 C: 34 -3 (selling, distributing or exhibiting obscene material to a person under age 18) or an offense involving computer criminal activity in violation of any provision of Title 2 C, chapter 20, you will be assessed a mandatory penalty as listed below for each offence for which you plead guilty? USED FOR: SKILLS: • Documents • Reading Comprehension • Analytical skills • Multitasking

Modes of Interpreting: Sight Translation Pitfalls – Risk of overly literal rendition – Increased interference – More errors compared to a written translation

Modes/Skills: Consecutive Interpreting English Interpreter E Non-English Language SS

Modes/Skills: Consecutive Interpreting USED FOR: • Witness testimony • Interview SKILLS:

Modes/Skills: Consecutive Interpreting USED FOR: • Witness testimony • Interview • Listening SKILLS: • • Managing the witness Self-monitoring Self correction Note-taking/memory/chunking

Consecutive Interpreting: Notes I can’t see the driveway because my window is in the back of the house above the bushes next to the pool. But because I could hear the door close, I think it was a big car like a truck, van or SUV (43)

Consecutive Interpreting: Notes • Meaning based symbols • Legal equivalent – Hedges, fillers, false starts, self-corrections – Differs from a word for word rendition

Modes of Interpreting: Simultaneous

Modes of Interpreting: Simultaneous • (new image) USED FOR: SKILLS: • When exchange is more monologue than dialogue • Time-saving

Modes of Interpreting: Simultaneous USED FOR: • • When exchange is more monologue than dialogue Time-saving SKILLS: • • • Multitasking Analysis Problem Solving Speed Modulation of voice

Component Skills of Interpreting Subject. Specific Vocabulary Language Interpreting Skills Protocol and Ethics

NAJIT Code of Ethics (Part 1) 1. Accuracy 2. Impartiality/Conflict of Interest 3. Confidentiality 4. Limitations of Practice 5. Protocol and Demeanor

Court Interpreter Ethics/Protocol • Correct Use of Person (e. g. Always interpret in the FIRST PERSON) “Llegué a las diez” ¨I arrived at 10¨ ¨He says he arrived at 10¨

Action Items for Attorneys • Address the L. E. P. Party DIRECTLY “When did he arrive? ” • ess the L. E. P. Party DIRECTLY “When did you arrive? ” “Ask him when he arrived” Q. Why is this a problem? A. When attorney says: “Does he have any questions? ” The interpreter must interpret: “Does he have any questions? ” (in target language)

Ambiguity of Pronoun Usage: Confusion/Ambiguity: Witness: I arrived and saw that my brother. . was upset. Attorney: When did he call the police? Witness: Who’s he?

Action Items for Attorneys • Address the L. E. P. Client DIRECTLY • Recognize and address red flags – Interpretation too long or too short – Interpreter is silent when they should be interpreting – Interpreter has a side conversation with L. E. P. • Seek out a professional interpreter: One who carries/uses a dictionary, asks for repetition when necessary, requests materials beforehand, asks for a break.

The High Cost of Unprofessional Interpreting • Possible Appeal Issue • Longer, Less Fluid Proceeding • Miscommunication Bad Outcomes

NAJIT Code of Ethics (Part 1) 1. Accuracy 2. Impartiality/Conflict of Interest 3. Confidentiality 4. Limitations of Practice 5. Protocol and Demeanor

Action Items for Attorneys • • Address the L. E. P. Client DIRECTLY Recognize and address red flags Seek out a professional interpreter Respect Interpreter Scope of Practice Do not ask that an interpreter: • • Communicate directly with the L. E. P. Explain legal terms or concepts Offer opinions on the proceeding Interpret a/v materials on-site * *https: //najit. org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Onsite. Simultaneous-Interpre. pdf

NAJIT Code of Ethics (Part 2) 6. Maintenance and Improvement of Skills and Knowledge 7. Accurate Representation of Credentials 8. Impediments to Compliance

Canon VII: Impediments to Compliance Interpreters must inform the court when there are conditions that impede full compliance with any Canon of the Code: q Inability to Hear q Inadequate Knowledge of Terminology q Interpreter Fatigue

Impediment: Interpreter Fatigue • 30 minute window 1 • Fatigue Mistakes Compromised Record • Court Rules Two interpreters required for any proceeding longer than 2 hours (NM) 1 http: //www. najit. org/publications/Team%20 Interpreting_052007. pdf

Action Items for Attorneys • • • Address the L. E. P. Client DIRECTLY Recognize and address red flags Seek out a professional interpreter Respect Interpreter Scope of Practice Be Aware of Interpreter Impediments to Compliance

Spoken Language Interpreter Classifications: New Mexico In Directory under CCI’s In Directory under Registry Of JSI’s Certified Court Interpreter Justice System Interpreter Language Access Specialist

Requirements LAS JSI CCI Online language skills assessment interview Same and background check Background check 12 wk. online course 26 wk. online course 2 wk. online intro course Annual 1 day Symposium Membership in professional association 4 CEU’s annually 20 CEU’s bi-annually LAS Code of Ethics Court Interpreter Code of Ethics No NCSC exam min. 80% written; min. 55% on 3 parts of oral exam NCSC exam min. 80% written; min. 70 % on 3 parts of oral exam

Scope/Limitations of Practice LAS JSI YES - Outside courtroom, including mediations Same as LAS’s YES - In Municipal court for non-jailable traffic offenses YES – In court except NOT for jurors, or if a jailable offense forevidentiary hearing; guilty or no-contest plea proceeding; or trial. (civil and criminal) Act as scribes for LEP’s CCI NO limitations on practice

Requesting an Interpreter in New Mexico • • • File a timely request Coordinator will assign interpreter(s) using the Gridcheck system Team Interpreting: 2 interps for > 2 hrs 1 interp with breaks if < 2 hrs * Public/private attorneys can access a Directory on the NM Court website *Rule 5 -122, NM Rules of Criminal Procedure