Stepping Into the Open House Julli Jaramillo   It was a cold Wednesday evening, the kind that settles in after a long day and makes it tempting to close the laptop and call it a night. Despite that pull, I joined the NAJIT Open House shortly after it...

Webs of Learning in Practice: Webinars Julli Jaramillo   Professional development matters in our field. The work changes, the courts change, and the expectations placed on judiciary interpreters and translators continue to evolve. Staying competent is not something we do once through training or certification; it is something...

Carrying the Work Forward: Welcome 2026 Julli Jaramillo   When people talk about nonprofits, they often talk about them as if they are abstract things. Structures. Boards. Logos. Missions. But the longer I’ve worked with NAJIT, the clearer it has become to me that this organization moves because...

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...

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...

When to Let Compassion Take the Driver’s Seat   By: Jiraporn Ann H. Huynh   At least once in a court interpreter’s lifetime, the moment will come when we interpret a hearing with Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals who are mentally compromised, whether from birth or from a life...

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...