Beyond Language, The Expert Interpreter By Reme Bashi “You can sit there,” the judge told me, as he pointed to an empty seat at the respondent’s table. I politely replied: “Thank you, your honor, but I’ll be using equipment and not sitting by the respondent.” The judge...
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...
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...
A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Community: Welcome to 2025 The NAJIT Observer As the new year begins, at The Observer, we are excited about what the upcoming year holds. The beginning of a new year offers us a great opportunity to reflect on our past successes,...
The Couch: Starting Fresh-Advice for New Graduates in Judiciary Translation and Interpreting 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...
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...
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"]...
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...
About the LEP’s Right to “Hear Everything” in Court Janis Palma [caption id="attachment_37467" align="alignleft" width="300"] The United States Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and the rule of law[/caption] One of the rules of thumb that interpreters often follow in court is the if-then structure, which we...