30 Dec Judiciary Translation vs. Judiciary Interpretation: Which Path Resonates with You?
Judiciary Translation vs. Judiciary Interpretation:
Which Path Resonates with You?
By: Julli Jaramillo
Language professionals are essential in bridging communication gaps within the judiciary system. As experienced judiciary interpreters and translators, your expertise is vital in ensuring justice and equity for all parties involved. However, many aspiring interpreters and translators often wonder: “Should I pursue judiciary translation or judiciary interpretation?” While both careers are very important, they differ in their respective skills and experiences. In this blog, I’ll expand on some key differences, challenges, and rewards of judiciary translation and judiciary interpretation, offering insights to enhance understanding and appreciation of these distinct yet complementary professions, helping you reflect on your strengths and goals in the field, and perhaps, guide those who are interested but unsure which path to choose.
A vintage dictionary used for translation, illuminated by natural sunlight, revealing the beauty of words and shadows
What is Judiciary Translation?
Judiciary translation involves converting written legal documents specific to the judiciary system from one language to another. These documents can include court rulings, affidavits, legal briefs, and procedural documents. Accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of judiciary terminology in both languages are crucial.
Key Skills:
- Superb writing and editing skills.
- Deep understanding of judiciary systems and terminology.
- Detailed attention to accuracy and cultural nuances.
Rewards:
- Flexible workplace, often remote.
- Specialization in judiciary-specific fields such as criminal or family law, among others.
- Contributing to clarity and fairness in the judiciary system by accurately translating legal documents.
Challenges:
- Terminology and judiciary systems are complex and usually different in different jurisdictions.
- Tight deadlines for crucial court-related documents.
- The need to localize legal concepts with no direct equivalents.
- The importance of maintaining confidentiality and security.
An interpreter engaged in efficient note-taking, accompanied by a warm cup of coffee
What is Judiciary Interpretation?
On the other hand, judiciary interpretation focuses on oral communication within the judiciary system. Interpreters aim to provide oral understanding in courtrooms, depositions, arraignments, and client-attorney meetings for non-English speaking parties. Real-time accuracy and fluency are extremely important in this position.
Key Skills:
- Excellent retention and note-taking techniques.
- Quick thinking while remaining calm under pressure.
- Exceptional verbal communication and cultural knowledge.
Rewards:
- Dynamic, interactive work environment.
- Playing a crucial role in facilitating access to the judiciary system in real-time, contributing to the larger process of justice.
- Opportunities to work in high-profile judiciary settings.
Challenges:
- The emotional intensity of legal proceedings.
- The need for continuous concentration and split-second decision-making.
- The challenge of adapting to unfamiliar speakers and dialects.
- The ethical dilemmas involved in maintaining neutrality.
Choosing Between Judiciary Translation and Interpretation
Which one is for you depends on your strengths, preferences, and career goals.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you like working with written material or talking to people?
- Do you work better independently or in an interactive environment?
- Is it the dynamics of the courtroom that appeals to you, or is it an in-depth judiciary text?
It should also be said that the majority of professionals combine a bit of both and, allowing for adaptability, creating many more job perspectives.
My Experience and Insights
In my case, I have focused on judiciary translation due to my passion for the precision of the judiciary language and the written word. Through my interaction with interpreters, however, it has become crystal clear how vital they are in a real-time judiciary setting. Both paths require dedication and commitment to excellence, and I deeply respect those who pursue either or both.
Conclusion:
Judiciary translation and judiciary interpretation are both essential to the smooth running of the judiciary system and the administration of justice. Whether you like the precision of written documents or the immediacy of oral communication, there is a fulfilling path waiting for you in this field, especially for those interested in exploring this profession.
For those currently in the field, which path did you take, and why?
Which path do you recommend for those entering the field? Is there something else to consider?
Let us know below! We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading!
The images used in this post are sourced from Unsplash. They are used for illustrative purposes only.
A radiant and confident portrait of a woman embracing bold style and elegance
Julli Jaramillo is the newest Publishing Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief for NAJIT. She holds a master’s degree in Translation from NYU and has extensive experience in quality assurance, content development, and strategic growth. Passionate about NAJIT’s mission to uphold ethical standards for judiciary translators and interpreters, she is dedicated to driving the organization’s growth while ensuring its publications meet high-quality standards and adapt to evolving industry demands. In her free time, Julli enjoys baking and creating art.
Feel free to reach out to her (tno_editor@najit.org) to chat about the NAJIT Observer or Proteus—she is excited to collaborate!
Join the NAJIT Observer’s vibrant community of contributors! We are seeking passionate writers to share insights on legal translation and interpretation. Email your pitch or draft today and help shape our industry. Visit najit.org/blog for more details.
I chose interpretation because I do not like to sit at home and agonize over every word. I am fascinated by seeing the judicial system in action and enjoy interacting with other people
Great read! I am an interpreter but I would like to be a judiciary translator. I haven’t been able to find that many job openings. Any suggestions? Are the specific job boards for judiciary translators? Thanks in advance!
As we become adept at translations and interpretation I find it fascinating with each challenge.
I work freelance, but rely on feedback and review x3 each document before deadlines. Judicial translation is the domain- specific skill I used daily when translate affidavit and notarial certificates. The comment above, I do agonize when I translate old, word fade, weary original documents and deadline is within 12-24 hours turn out.
Why choose? Why not do both? I don’t think there’s enough demand for judiciary translation in LOTE to warrant doing it full time, anyway. The terminology is basically the same, and—at least in my experience—translation work tends to make one a better interpreter. This post presents the reader with a false choice. IMHO.
I’m a state certified interpreter in California, and I agree with ARN above.
First of all, when one trains to become a court certified interpreter, sight translation is a definite part of that training. Any Sight Translation class involves plenty of actual translation (yes, writing!) during classwork, homework, midterms and final exams. The homework, midterms and finals for the other required coursework is not any different. Translating texts is how we train!
Second, our area of practice (THE LAW) is basically a written medium. A record is being made (writing!) of everything said in the courtroom. We don’t just walk into court knowing how to say things, without first knowing how to read, write and understand them. The Constitution, our statutes, codes, rules of court, case law, jury instructions, etc. are all written texts. The work we do is writerly and readerly. If someone were to transcribe our well done rendition of American jury instructions into Spanish, it should read as a written text because the judge is literally just reading the law onto the record. That’s why here in our neck in the woods, we quickly and gleefully try to physically translate jury instructions before the judge reads them during a trial, time permitting of course. It instills more confidence in our work.
Thirdly, doing translations on the side ALWAYS benefits us as professionals and makes us better interpreters. Regardless of the subject matter, writing translations helps us acquire new terminology and perfect the clarity of our speech. I would seriously question the interpreting abilities of an interpreter who claims not to do translations.
Folks everywhere make such a big deal about differing between Translation and Interpretation. It’s semantic, petty and inconsequential. The fact is that one CANNOT be an effective interpreter without first knowing how to translate. One MUST have those superb writing and editing skills needed for translation to be a professional interpreter. There is no other way. That is the foundation of our work.
You have to know how to read and write those accent marks if you want to speak Spanish professionally. Sadly, our state certification exams no longer require a written test in Spanish. This has contributed to the fragmentation, compartmentalization and dumbing-down of our profession. We currently have a generation of interpreters out there whose Spanish language skills have not been fully tested. We currently have LEGIONS of non-certified “bilinguals” working in government, and public/private agencies who produce awful, inconsistent translations in nearly every sector of public service, and no one to hold them accountable. The ATA is only a pay-t0-join association; a private club that doesn’t have the authority to designate qualified individuals who can provide written translations to the LEP community.
Let’s not give the powers that be more reason to invalidate our work. We need to take back our profession, and demand the rigors that once made us stand out among language professionals. We need to assume leadership roles in our respective communities; the community should turn to US when it comes to translations. We are the original COMMUNITY INTERPRETERS/TRANSLATORS, long before “The Community Interpreter” became a buzzword and trademarked commodity.
ON ANOTHER NOTE: Can someone write a commentary or start a blog about the MANY US attorneys out there who claim to speak Spanish, but actually speak Spanglish or worse? It is beyond annoying, it is infringing on peoples’ rights…