Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The following program was produced by the United States Courts.
“The phrase, “Justice for all,” takes a special meaning in the work that we do.
Rebecca Caldaro.
Manager of Interpreter Services.”
“Daniel Nevoa,
Court Interpreter.” “I'm Paula Gold, I’m a Staff Interpreter
in the District Court.” “I’m Theresa Salazar, Staff Interpreter.”
“I am
responsible for providing interpreting services for our courts, for all languages.
The highest demand in our district is Spanish.” “The other languages that we hire most frequently are
the Chinese dialects—Mandarin, Cantonese,
and Fuzhou—
Russian,
and Arabic.”
“Since I am only one person,
and we have many matters going on
at the same time, I also have to contract other interpreters and supervise them.”
“We can have upwards to 200-250 events a month.
Probation interviews, translation of documents, assisting the public over the phone, and the bulk of
the call work.”
“The interpreter is there to be the voice of the judge,
the voice of the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the voice and ears
of the non-English speaker.”
“Basically we proceed as it is in our Constitution.
The right of the defendant to understand the proceedings.”
“You have people coming here who are being accused of crimes,
and how can you defend yourself against a crime if you don’t understand what’s going on.”
“Our job is essential
so that foreign
witnesses and defendants can understand the process so that we can
break through the cultural barrier and facilitate the proceedings so that they can follow
what’s going on.” “The Federal Courts has a program of certification for three languages only.
For the other languages, it’s a little bit more challenging, more difficult.
We try to look for someone that would be classified as professionally qualified.”
“There are some techniques that are essential that you must acquire.”
Simultaneous interpretation skills, basic,
and consecutive interpretation skills are very, very important as well.”
“It’s very important to understand the culture of
the person that you're interpreting for because things that may seem offensive
in our culture, are not.”
“You’re dealing not only with one language, but you’re dealing with different levels of education in that language.
The speakers vary in education, they vary
in regional accent.”
“I don't know of any Federal Court interpreter that does not love his or her job.”
“Being part of this proceeding that is so important for the parties
is just a wonderful feeling.”
“The double benefit of not only being something that I enjoy doing, but it also offers a social benefit.”
“It’s very rewarding to see the light of understanding in people who are
in a very frightening situation, most of the time.” “For me,
this is much more than a job. I’m a formally trained interpreter, so it’s something I’ve invested time, effort, and money
in, to be the best I can be in this field.
Coming to the Court has allowed me to build on that.”
“The training never ends because language is always changing, and
the law is always changing.”
“I’m very happy about what I do.
I feel very honored
to be able to
provide service
to so many people.”
“I find it's an organization
that allows me
to be the best I can be.”
“If you have a curiosity and a
yearning to learn
for the rest of your life, this is a
wonderful career.”