Writing for Proteus: Calling for Submissions   By: The NAJIT Observer Proteus is NAJIT’s quarterly publication, providing judiciary interpreters and translators with an avenue to explore complex industry topics. What Sets Proteus Apart? While both Proteus and The NAJIT Observer serve NAJIT’s mission of promoting professional excellence, they differ in...

The Failings of the Ivory Tower By: Athena Matilsky   When I was 18, I decided I wanted to be an interpreter. Ever the logical goal-setter, I consulted professors in the field and reached out to friends of friends who might know something about this career—one that most...

The Couch: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome   The NAJIT Observer   A Brief History of The Couch Series [caption id="attachment_36172" align="alignright" width="300"] A symbolic representation of interpreters and translators fostering understanding, depicted by a figure on a couch and another actively listening[/caption]   Since its debut in 2017, The Couch has been the place to provide professionals with...

Writing for The NAJIT Observer   By: The NAJIT Observer   Writing for The NAJIT Observer is not only an opportunity to share insights and experiences, but also a powerful way to refine our own skills, uplift newcomers, and honor those who have paved the way for us. Whether...

Listen to Your Body: Rest Now or Pay Later By Julli Jaramillo   Living in the Northeast of the United States means tolerating brutal winters, but this year, the cold has felt especially relentless—not just in the air, but in the weight of everything happening around us. Political...

Preparing to Do Relay with a Colleague Abroad   Reme Bashi   Have you ever had to do relay interpreting with a colleague who is outside the United States, and who doesn’t speak English?  Here are some tips to help you achieve the best team interpreting performance. [caption id="attachment_37550" align="alignleft" width="300"]...

The Importance of Being Called by Your Name By: Ann Heath-Huynh   As the year draws close to an end, we all seem to have different reasons to be scrambling about. Perhaps, in a rush to close business deals or to buy Christmas presents, or planning holiday events. We...

  It’s Always a Good Day to Make New Friends By: The NAJIT Observer Meet NAJIT’s new Publishing Coordinator and Editor-In-Chief, Julli Jaramillo. Her C.V. will tell you that she graduated from New York University with a Master’s in Translation, specializing in Spanish-to-English and legal translation. Her background...

Introduction As an interpreter with over 22 years of experience, I have witnessed the evolving dynamics within our profession. In Wisconsin, there is a shortage of court-certified interpreters. However, this shortage is not due to a lack of potentially qualified professionals but rather a failure in...

Several weeks ago, a friend and freelance colleague fell in the cafeteria of the courthouse where some of us work. The floor was wet and the “wet floor signs” were out of her line of vision. Once she was embarrassingly sprawled on the floor, the...