Hello Colleagues!
I wanted to update you on the latest TTIG news.
I recently gave two presentations at the Deposition Reporters Association Convention about how we can best work with one another. Reporters are vital liaison between us and attorneys, so collaborating to educate each other is important.
My presentations to the group Friday, Feb. 21 in Palm Springs were: Making the Record: Interpreted and Video Depositions and Lost in Translation.
Among the most important things discussed were the California Government Code , which requires Court Certified Interpreters be used for Civil Depositions.
I emphasized that deposition reporters must request to see interpreter badges and to obtain our certification numbers, showing reporters what our badges look like so it won’t be confused with any other.
We also covered scenarios that come up at depositions and tips to manage them such as:
- When the witness is speaking in their native language and then switches off to English. The reporters have requested that we repeat the English so that they can have fluidity from hearing the voice of the interpreter.
- When a check interpreter is used in the deposition and there is a word that the check interpreter disagrees with, request a brief recess to discuss the issue with your colleague by saying “This is the check interpreter speaking, I would like to request a brief recess so that I may discuss the discrepancy with my colleague,” rather than “No, that was wrong!” See the difference?
- Avoid arguing with an attorney who speaks the other language and challenges you while on the record. Instead, politely suggest that the attorney taking the deposition may want to repeat the question again or that the witness may want to repeat the answer to clarify.
- Be on time! Too many times the interpreters arrive late.
During the convention, we also discussed interpreter standards and protocols such as 24-hour cancellation policy, start times and that we work in three-hour increments _ meaning half day and full day per diem.
On the legislative front, TTIG and its sister unit CFI are working on bills that would make it mandatory for interpreters to give their certification number on the record for every proceeding we interpret and another that would eliminate the “Good Cause Clause.” This clause allows for a non-certified or non-registered interpreter to interpret when the court deems an accredited interpreter was not readily available.
Clik here to view.
CFI Legislative Committee member Michael Ferreira, Court Interpreter Advisory Panel member Janet Hudec, TTIG Unit Chair Angie Birchfield, CIAP member Debra Donson, CFI Legislative Chair Mary Lou Aranguren and CFI President Ariel Torrone.
As TTIG chair, I have been participating with the Language Access Group that’s considering all suggestions on language access in the courts along with our sister unit the California Federation of Interpreters. During these meetings, TTIG has emphasized that the main competition for accredited interpreters working in civil matters are non-certified interpreters. We offered a simple solution to this problem: have interpreters wear their badges and state their certification number along with their name at the commencement of every civil case.
With that said, we are requesting that any situations that you have come across where there has been an problem or issue with a non-certified interpreter, that you please send us an email with the pertinent details. We are gathering as much of this information as possible for the legislature. Please send them to ttig@mediaworkers.org.
Last but not least, we would like for you to send in your written comments to the Language Access Group about the importance of using a Court Certified/Registered Interpreter. We also want to emphasize the complexities of interpreting for civil cases and how imperative it is to use an accredited interpreter for these matters since some administrators have made comments suggesting that a court certified interpreter was not that necessary in civil cases. Please send them to ttig@mediaworkers.org so we can gather and provide them to the Language Access Group.
Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, March 1 in Santa Fe Springs for our first meeting with our local interpreting agencies to discuss our issues with them as well as to do some marketing of our own. Until then..
Sincerely,
TTIG Unit Chair Angie Birchfield