Frequently Asked Questions

Court interpretation means the unrehearsed transmitting of a spoken or signed message from one language to another in a courtroom setting. Qualified oral interpreters generally use consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in court. Sign language interpreters render the meaning of a sign into speech and vice versa. Interpretation is different from "translation," which relates to the conversion of a written text from one language into written text in another language.

Court interpreters interpret for people in court who cannot communicate effectively in English or are deaf or hard of hearing. These people include defendants and witnesses in criminal court, as well as litigants and witnesses in family and civil courts. Interpreters listed on the Roster of Court Interpreters on the Minnesota Judicial Branch's public website may also be contacted by other State agencies or private law firms and offered work in settings such as attorney-client meetings, depositions, witness preparation sessions, and interviews with court personnel.

First, know your languages. Full bilingual proficiency, ample vocabulary, and knowledge of standard grammar are requirements. One effective self-training technique is to observe court proceedings and mentally interpret them to yourself. Write down the terms that stump you, and then look for solutions in dictionaries.

It is also important to possess educated, native-like mastery of both English and a second language; a wide general knowledge, characteristic of someone who has a minimum of two years of a general college-level education; and the ability to perform the three major types of court interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous, and sight interpreting).

Other skills considered essential include:

A good working knowledge of court procedures, court rules, and Minnesota statutes, as well as an understanding of how they apply at the various court levels.
Excellent customer service skills for internal and external customers.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
An understanding of what it means to be an independent contractor or self-employed.
The ability to work effectively with judges, administrators, and court staff.
An understanding and ability to interpret court policies and procedures, as well as an understanding of how the Code of Ethics relates to particular assignments.
The desire to continue learning.

According to the Minnesota Supreme Court's rules on interpreting, individuals, whether qualified as a court interpreter in another state or not, who wish to interpret in the state court system and be included on the statewide roster of interpreters must first complete the following:

Pass the English proficiency portion of the National Center for State Courts Court Interpreter Written Exam. This is a written test made up of 75 multiple-choice questions in English. The test measures candidates' comprehension of written English vocabulary and idioms. Individuals who register for the test will receive a copy of the Court Interpreter Written Examination: Overview for study. There is no charge to take this test.
After passing the English proficiency test, attend the required orientation program. Orientation programs are usually held on weekends and are conducted in English. The program provides an introduction to the Minnesota Judicial System, introduction to common legal terms, practicing interpreting techniques, and analyzing the role of interpreters in the court system. The program cost is $100.
After completing the orientation program, pass the second section of the National Center for State Courts Court Interpreter Written Exam. This is a written test made up of 60 multiple-choice questions in English. The test measures candidates' knowledge of court-related terms and knowledge, and understanding of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters. Candidates are allowed 1 hour to complete the test. Tests are typically given at the beginning of day 2 of the orientation program.
File an affidavit with the State Court Administrator's Office that explains that you agree to be bound by the Code of Professional Responsibility. The affidavit form is given to interpreters after they pass both sections of the written exam and is to be completed, notarized, and returned to the Court Interpreter Program. Upon receipt of their affidavit, interpreters will receive a letter confirming they are eligible to work in the state court system and their name will been placed on the statewide roster of court interpreters.

Sign language interpreters: The Minnesota state court system does have a certification testing program for sign language interpreters. The Minnesota Supreme Court has mandated in the General Rules of Practice, Rule 8, that sign language interpreters must meet the minimum requirements to interpret in the courts including passing both parts of the NCSC written test, attend orientation, and submit the required application and affidavit. In addition, they must maintain certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the National Association for the Deaf. (See below for certification requirements.)

There are three types of interpreting:

Consecutive: Providing the interpreted words after the speaker has stopped speaking. The length of the interpretation may near the limits of the interpreter's capacity for recalling what is said. Interpreters would typically take notes to help them interpret.
Simultaneous: Providing the interpreted words continuously at the same time someone is speaking.
Sight: Sometimes referred to as "sight translation," this is a hybrid type of interpreting during which the interpreter reads a document written in one language while converting it orally into another language. In this type of interpreting, a written text is interpreted without advance notice. Court interpreters often sight-translate legal documents such as plea agreements.

The interpreter's duty is to:

Ensure that the proceedings in English reflect precisely what was said by a non-English-speaking person, and
Place the non-English-speaking person on an equal footing with those who are proficient in English.

Interpreters interpret from one language to another everything that is said, preserving the tone and level of the original language, adding and deleting nothing. A bilingual individual is not necessarily qualified to interpret in court. Court interpreting requires additional knowledge and skills.

The National Center for State Courts Oral Certification Examination for Court Interpreters tests three modes of interpreting:

The simultaneous portion is a recording which contains a recording a passage that is based on an attorney’s opening or closing statement in court. The passage is about 900 words in length and is recorded at a speed of about 120 words per minute.
For the sight translation portion, an interpreter must read an English document aloud while being recorded. An interpreter must also read a non-English document aloud while being recorded. The documents are about 225 words long. Interpreters are allowed six minutes to complete this portion of the exam.
The consecutive portion requires the interpreter to interpret English language questions into the non-English language and vice versa.

Sign language interpreters: The State Court Administrator recognizes the Special Certificate: Legal in sign language as the highest level of certification supported by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). The Registry Certificate holders are considered more qualified to interpret in legal settings than sign language interpreters holding generalist certificates only. Sign language interpreters who obtain the certificate or the Texas BEI Court Interpreter Certification and complete all requirements for inclusion on the statewide roster can apply for certification in the Minnesota state court system.

Minnesota's courts are in great need for competent and certified American Sign Language interpreters. Interpreters are required to complete all requirements for inclusion on the statewide roster, as well as maintain certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the National Association for the Deaf with:

Certificate of Interpretation: the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and spoken English in both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign, and
Or NAD Level V (Master),
Or NIC,
Or CDI or CDI-P.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the National Association for the Deaf base their certifications on rigorous evaluation of candidates' interpretation skills and knowledge of the Code of Ethics by a group of professional peers. The system establishes minimum levels of achievement, representing a starting point for interpreters that varies according to certification area and competence level. Interpreters certified by these organizations are expected to improve their skills by attending workshops and training seminars, and through frequent use of sign language.

In 1995, Minnesota and four other states initiated the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts, now known as the Council of Language Access Coordinators (CLAC). The CLAC is an official part of the National Center for State Courts (NSCS) and provides test materials and educational programs, sets standards for interpreter test development, administration and education and serves as a forum for information-sharing among states and interested organizations.

Interpreters who pass an NCSC oral proficiency exam for certification in any other state are eligible to apply for certification in Minnesota without having to retake the NCSC exam. Applicants must complete all requirements for inclusion on the statewide roster before applying for certification in the Minnesota state court system.

Language and interpreting experts, coordinated by the National Center for State Courts, develop the language proficiency exams, which includes publishing test documentation enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of the testing program. The National Center for State Courts has prepared and maintains standardized manuals for test construction, test administration (including a candidate information booklet), and test rater training.

Interpreter Resources

There are three types of interpreting:

The interpreter's duty is to:

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