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 our members with the space to discuss...
Language Access on the Biggest Stage By: Julli Jaramillo Last month, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the Super Bowl Halftime show. As always, the spotlight was on the teams, the halftime show, and the commercials that quickly became part of the cultural conversation. But behind the...
Self-Care as an Ethical Necessity By: Athena Matilsky Be kinder to yourself. Then let your kindness flood the world. -Pema Chödron Have you ever found yourself skipping lunch, losing sleep and working 12-hour days even though you were your own boss? A few years ago, I had a...
Let’s Test Your Ethics: The Digital “Assist” The NAJIT Observer Team Honoring the Lunar New Year Before we turn to this month’s ethical discussion, we want to pause to recognize the Lunar New Year. For many communities around the world, this celebration marks renewal, reflection, and the beginning...
Playing The Infinite Game In Your Interpreting Career By: Jiraporn-Ann H. Huynh With Special Credit To Contributor and Editor: Hilda Shymanik I was at a dental event for an elite group of dental practitioners who don’t just fix teeth and collect money; they are highly specialized dentists whom...
Not An Infallible Technique, After All By Hilda Shymanik Just recently, I was telling some colleagues how, since I started freelancing regularly in some of the best and interpreter-friendly courthouses in the area, I’ve found fewer topics to blog about. The reason? I rarely encounter situations that...
On Verbatim By Ángeles Estrada, M.A., F.C.C.I. Verbatim is a Latin expression that means “word for word,” and it is the golden rule for court-reporters whose charge it is to preserve the record. But, what about court interpreters? An interpreter's oath is different from the court reporter’s oath....
Let’s Test Your Ethics The NAJIT Observer Team Welcome to “Let’s Test Your Ethics” As professional interpreters and translators, we often navigate challenging situations that test our ethical judgment. Whether it's balancing confidentiality with transparency or maintaining impartiality in emotionally charged settings, these dilemmas are part of our...
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...
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...