<p>I am a current college senior in the US and have been thinking about going into interpretation (between Japanese and English), because I have an aptitude for it and think I would enjoy the work. However, the type of interpretation which appeals to me most is court interpretation, because I have always been interested in law, though I do not wish to actually become a lawyer myself. Obviously my Japanese would first need to be at near-native proficiency, which I plan to do by living and working there for the next few years after college graduation (I'm already at a high proficiency) and I would need knowledge of the judiciary system in the country in which I would like to work (whether it be the US or Japan); however, if I do decide to work in the US, would I actually have to go to law school to become a court interpreter? If so, what kind of program? If not, what sort of courses would be suggested to take to prepare me for the judicial aspect of the job? Sorry if this is a stupid question; it wouldn't be till a few years down the road, but it really does sound like something I would enjoy so I'm trying to look into it in more detail.</p>
<p>Not at all. Are you arguing in front of a judge? Negotiating contracts? Closing deals? If not, there’s no need for a law degree. You’ll be translating objectively on behalf of a court, not representing a client. Can’t say I’ve ever heard of an on-staff Japanese-to-English court translator, though…</p>
<p>I have limited experience with this, but my understanding is that what you may want to be is a certified legal interpreter. You do NOT need a law degree for this. You work on a few lance basis for attorneys OR a court on an “as needed” basis. </p>
<p>Here’s the deal, as I understand it. When an attorney deals with a client who speaks a different language, an interpreter is needed. If the attorney doesn’t have a person who speaks the client’s language on staff, (s)he has to use an interpreter. Often the person just brings someone who speaks both languages to the meeting with the attorney. In many states, the participation of that third party negates the attorney-client privilege. To avoid waiving the privilege, the attorney has to use someone who is certified as a legal interpreter, at least in certain states. These interpreters are certified as neutral–they translate as directly as possible without making commentary–and they have to convince the relevant authority that they are in fact fluent in both languages and can translate neutrally.</p>
<p>Should the lawyer and the client disagree later about what was said, the independent translator will be a crucial witness. </p>
<p>Much of the work such certified interpreters do takes place outside the court room.</p>
<p>You don’t need to go to law school. Here’s how it works in my jurisdiction(can’t say about others): You contact the local trial court; almost every city of any size will have a separate interpreter’s office. They set the local proficiency standard, and you’ll have to prove you’ve got the skill to do the job. Sometimes they’ve got a test they give, sometimes you’re referred out for the test. If you pass, you are then brought before the court, where you will be sworn to truthfully translate, etc. In this jurisdction, you only need to be sworn once; other jds will swear you in for each case.
For freelance interpreting, you’ll basically market yourself to law firms. It will be a combination of establishing your skills, and a little luck with getting some clients, but with a language like Japanese, you’ll be in demand. Good luck!</p>
<p>No, you don’t have to go to law school to be an interpreter.</p>
<p>You can try to get a job in the court system and/or you can contact court reporting agencies as they often provide translators for depositions.</p>
<p>To work in my state as a court interpreter, you have to pass a test in both English and the foreign language. I am not sure about working for private agencies. I know that as an attorney, I have worked with excellent translators and some pretty horrendous ones.</p>
<p>Just as a war story.</p>
<p>I know an attorney who became fluent in sign language when he was young. He went to a local pediatrician who had a deaf son. The pediatrician introduced his young son to his patient and they hit it off. Pediatrician was very happy to find a hearing child who liked his son. He encouraged the friendship and helped teach the hearing child sign.</p>
<p>Hearing child grows up to be an attorney. He begins his career as a public defender.In one case, the star witness is deaf. Attorney is able to follow the translator and realizes that she is NOT just translating. So after listening and watching a few exchanges, he objects. He tells the judge, “That’s NOT what he said. She’s adding things the witness didn’t say!” Surprised, the judge asks if he understands sign language. He says yes; he hasn’t used it in a lot of years, but he understood enough to know that the interpreter isn’t translating literally. Judge turns to the interpreter and asks “Are you adding anything?” She blushes and says “Well, just a little when I think it’s necessary to clarify things.” Judge screams “In my chambers, NOW.” </p>
<p>Judge starts grilling the translator. She starts crying. She was “just” trying to help the prosecutor make the case. She’s figured out that if the prosecutor gets a conviction, it’s more likely she’ll be assigned more cases. The judge declared a mistrial. </p>
<p>The district attorney dismisses the case because he is worried that any publicity will lead any defendant convicted in a case involving the same translator will seek to reopen the case.</p>
<p>It’s an important lesson. The defense attorney was a public defender who just happened to understand sign. Hire your own translator, if the client can afford it.</p>