15 Jan A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Community: Welcome to 2025
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...
23 Dec Preparing to Do Relay with a Colleague Abroad
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...17 Dec Interpreter’s Fatigue: A Real Threat to Due Process
Interpreter’s Fatigue: A Real Threat to Due Process By Hilda Shymanik Interpreting is a highly demanding and complex activity that requires a great deal of physical and mental effort. When the cognitive load becomes too much, as a result of working for long...
13 Nov Breaking Attorney Client Privilege: “Who, Me?”
Posted at 11:51h
in Ethics, Hilda Zavala-Shymanik, Interpreters, Professional Hazard, Professional Practices, Recent Posts, Remote Interpreting, The Profession
14 Comments
Breaking Attorney Client Privilege: “Who, Me?” By: Hilda Shymanik A few months ago, while working remotely during a bond hearing, I was interpreting in the consecutive mode when the judge asked a Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual if he understood what the judge had...
05 Nov It’s Always a Good Day to Make New Friends
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....
11 Sep A Balancing Act
Posted at 10:03h
in Hilda Zavala-Shymanik, Interpreters, New Ideas, Odds & Ends, Recent Posts, Self care
21 Comments
Over a year ago, I landed a great gig. I work four days a week under an open-ended long-term contract and have been happy there. However, the job is unexciting and repetitive. My colleagues are great, the judges treat me well and are accommodating when...
15 Jul Saved by the Bell
Many times, I am saved by the bell. Last week I was in court, on time waiting for my early morning case to start. As we waited over 90 minutes, the ADA, judge, sheriff’s officers, clerks, and LEP defendant were understandably frustrated. The practice in...
30 Mar NAJIT’s 45th Annual Conference
I came to the profession as many of you did, if you started your interpreting career ten or more years ago. I had a 15-minute phone interview with an agency owner, and I was hired on the spot and given very few instructions. I started...
06 Mar Emergency Medical Coverage Funds
Posted at 10:10h
in Advocacy, Community, Court Interpreting, Finances, Hilda Zavala-Shymanik, Interpreters, New Ideas, Professional Hazard, Recent Posts, Self care
12 Comments
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...