SPANISH COURT INTERPRETING PROGRAM

L.A. Institute of Translation and Interpretation

2975 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 640, Los Angeles, CA 90010

 

Instructor: Mariana Bension-Larkin, Spanish interpreter certified by the Judicial Council of California and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

The Spanish Court Interpreting Program at the L.A. Institute of Translation and Interpretation introduces students to the nature of a judiciary interpreter’s job and to the areas that need to be mastered to obtain certification from the Judicial Council of California. See http://www.courts.ca.gov/programs-interpreters.htm for more information.

The Spanish Court Interpreting Program at the L.A. Institute of Translation and Interpretation consists of 120 hours of class distributed in four quarters as follows:

Quarter 1: Sight Translation (30 hours)

September – November 2012

Sight translation is one of the three interpretation modes and consists of orally translating an English document into another language and viceversa.

The Sight Translation quarter consists of 10 weekly evening classes (6.30-9.30 pm) and introduces students to sight translation exercises from English into Spanish and Spanish into English, as well as to the legal terminology used in court and other proceedings.

The documents that interpreters must sight translate go from complex legal briefs to colloquial statements that contain slang and grammar imperfections.

The texts seen during this quarter, combined with the acquisition of new legal words, are designed to help students become familiar with sight translation and learn the techniques needed to tackle this aspect of an interpreter’s job.

 

Quarter 2: Simultaneous Interpretation (30 hours)

January – March 2013

Simultaneous interpretation is one of the three interpretation modes and occurs when an interpreter speaks simultaneously as the source language speaker (i.e. while the other person is still speaking). Generally in legal proceedings, simultaneous interpreting is done from English into the second language.

The Simultaneous quarter consists of 10 weekly evening classes (6.30-9.30 pm) and introduces students to simultaneous interpretation exercises from English to Spanish helpful to learn the skills and techniques.

Legal terminology used in court and other proceedings is once again reviewed during this quarter.

 

Quarter 3: Consecutive Interpretation (30 hours)

April – June 2013

Consecutive interpretation is one of the three interpretation modes and occurs when an interpreter interprets a speaker’s words after a statement has been spoken. Therefore and unlike simultaneous interpreting, only one person speaks at a time. Consecutive interpretation is used mostly to interpret testimony during legal proceedings.

The Consecutive quarter consists of 10 weekly evening classes (6.30-9.30 pm) and introduces students to consecutive interpretation exercises from English to Spanish and Spanish to English, plus consecutive interpretation techniques (note taking and memory).

Additionally, students are introduced to automotive and drug terminology, also used in legal proceedings.

 

Quarter 4: Review Quarter (30 hours)

July – September 2013

Consists of 10 weekly evening classes (6.30-9.30 pm) and provides additional, more in depth training in the three interpretation modes (sight, simultaneous and consecutive). For students who joined the Program in Quarter 2 (Simultaneous Interpretation) the Sight Translation review will be an introduction to this discipline before they take the Sight Translation quarter in September- November 2012.

During this quarter, students are also introduced to the Code of Ethics for the interpreting profession, intended to provide guidelines and standards for interpreters in regards to their professional and ethical responsibilities so that they are better able to deal with the situations that commonly arise in matters in the judicial system.

Additionally, students are introduced to medical terminology, which often comes up during personal injury and workers’ compensation legal proceedings.

 

Program materials (Acebo):

• The Interpreter’s Companion (book);
• The Interpreter’s Edge (CDs and booklet).

Can be purchased at www.acebo.com or www.intransbooks.com.

Additional reference materials recommended (optional):

• Diccionario de Términos Jurídicos, from E. Alcaraz Varó
• Black’s Law Dictionary

 

Certificate and attendance requirements:

A pass for the four quarters named above is required to obtain a Spanish Court Interpretation Program certificate. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

A minimum average of 60% (C) is required in the weekly quizzes on specialized terminology for a pass, but this grade will be combined with performance in class and in the final quarter one-on-one evaluations.

Since fluency in both English and Spanish is paramount for a judiciary interpreter, a pass grade is required both English to Spanish and Spanish to English components. A pass for English to Spanish but a fail for Spanish to English (or viceversa) will result in a fail for the whole quarter. Students who fail one quarter are provided one additional opportunity to make-up the insufficient grade with enhanced requirements (additional terminology and a minimum grade of 65% is required to pass).

If a student fails to pass the quarter during the make-up opportunity, it will be mandatory for that student to retake the quarter within a year and pass in order to receive the certificate.

A minimum 70% attendance is required to pass each quarter. No exceptions will be made to this policy. If a student fails to attend 70% of classes for each quarter, it will be mandatory for that student to retake the quarter within a year and pass in order to receive the certificate.

Tuition: $490 per quarter (10-week course).  One time registration fee $100.

 

To apply, click here for an application form

To register, click here for a registration form.  Fax to 213-477-2294 or email to info@latranslation.com.

School Catalogue

Address: 2975 Wilshire Blvd. #640. Los Angeles, CA 90010 (Wilshire and Virgil)

Call: 866-327-1004 for more info.

Free parking

 

 

To know more about the classes, call 1-866-327-1004, or visit www.latranslation.com.