The Government Services Administration in this guide discusses federal language access laws and provides guidance on procuring interpretation and translation services.
Language Access > Interpretation & Translation
Topic: Interpretation & Translation
Materials regarding interpretation and translation for scenarios involving language access.
[pdf] DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: What Does It Mean to be a Certified Linguist? (May 6, 2014) (+)
DOJ tips explaining what it means to be a certified interpreter or translator and what to beware of when choosing an interpreter or translator. One pager.
[pdf] DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS on Hiring the Right Telephonic Interpretation Vendor (May 6, 2014) (+)
DOJ tips for hiring the right telephonic interpretation vendor and what to look out for during live testing. One pager.
[pdf] DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: For Working with Telephone Interpreters (April 28, 2014) (+)
DOJ tips for working with telephonic interpreters. One pager.
[pdf] DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: Before You Hire -Ask Yourself : What Are My Project’s Language Needs? (May 6, 2014) (+)
DOJ tips for hiring interpreters and translators and language services decisions to avoid. One pager.
[pdf] U.S. Census, Language Identification Flash Card – I Speak Card (2004) (+)
U.S. Census Bureau published I Speak Language Identification Flashcard.
[pdf] Consortium for Language Access in the Courts, Guide to Translation of Legal Materials (April 2011) (+)
Consortium for Language Access in the Courts a project of the National Center for State Courts provides a guide detailing best practices and instructions for written translations of court documents and legal materials.
[pdf] In Re D.T. –O Maryland Court of Special Appeals (May 20 2021) (+)
“In Re D.T. –O” (Maryland Court of Special Appeals) NIWAP filed an amicus brief in a case before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals represented by K & L Gates LLP in a case in which Maryland State Child Protective Services used a parent’s immigration status and issues related to immigration status to terminate a parent’s parental rights. This amicus brief argues that federal preemption precludes Maryland from imposing penalties against undocumented immigrant parents fin custody and termination of parental rights cases. This together with failures to provide language access in this case violated the immigrant mother’s due process rights (May 20, 2021).
[pdf] State-specific resources | NCSC (+)
This document contains state-by-state resources including bench cards and interpreting information. It is provided by the National Center for State Courts.
[pdf] Questions to Ask When Qualifying an Interpreter (+)
Questions to ask when qualifying an interpreter for a court hearing.
[pdf] Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Pros and Cons (+)
This resource is from VERA’s Translating Justice series (Module 6) and evaluates the pros and cons of video remote interpreting.
[pdf] COP Fundamentals on Remote Interpretation Presentation 10.27.20 (+)
This presentation focuses on the fundamentals of remote interpretation. It was created and presented by Ana Paula Noguez Mercado LLM from the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence. She shares resources on remote interpretation and language access in during the pandemic.
[pdf] Language Justice Tips for Virtual Learning (Spanish) (+)
This infographic explains how an individual can access the interpretation tool on Zoom.
[pdf] ENG Language Justice Tips for Virtual Events (+)
This infographic provides information on language justice tips to help during virtual events.
[pdf] DeafHope: Tip Sheet for ASL Interpreters (+)
This sheet provides information for using interpreters on Zoom, to ensure the most participation and inclusivity is offerred within a meeting.
[pdf] Working With Remote Interpreters In Webex (+)
This sheet explains the three modes of interpreting within the courts, and how they operate on Webex.
[pdf] National Institute on the Use and Integration of Interpreters (+)
National Institute on the Use and Integration of Interpreters
[pdf] API Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims (2009) (+)
API Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims (2009) Guidelines focusing on court interpretation for domestic and sexual violence victims with limited English proficiency.
[pdf] National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities (+)
This code of conduct developed by the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators is a model code used by interpreters across the country. Law enforcement officials, courts, attorneys and advocates using interpreters often ask/require that interpreters with whom they work agree to follow this code when providing interpretation and translation services.
The function of court interpreters and translators is to remove the language barrier to the extent possible, so that such persons’ access to justice is the same as that of similarly-situated English speakers for whom no such barrier exists. The degree of trust that is placed in court interpreters and the magnitude of their responsibility necessitate high, uniform ethical standards that will both guide and protect court
[pdf] Chapter 1.6: Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters (+)
This brief guide provides law enforcement officers with useful information when using telephone interpreters to communicate with persons who are limited English proficient (LEP).
[pdf] Translation Requirements for Vital Documents, Intake and Notice of LEP Assistance for DOJ and HHS Grantees Serving Immigrant Crime Victims (April 14, 2016) (+)
Translation requirements for vital documents, intake and notice of limited English proficiency (LEP) assistance for Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees serving immigrant crime victims.
[pdf] Chapter 02: Ensuring Language Access to Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault (July 1, 2013) (+)
Chapter in Empowering Survivors: Legal Rights of Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault. This chapter provides an overview of federal language access laws that apply to work involving immigrant and Limited English Proficient victims of sexual assault. It includes a discussion of the history and development of federal language access laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, how to research demographics of the LEP community in your jurisdiction, definitions of who are LEP persons, federal enforcement of LEP laws, the importance of using qualified interpreters, an overview of language access plans, steps for determining interpreter qualifications, translation requirements, tips and best practices.
[pdf] Interpreting Exercise (+)
Interactive training exercise for language interpretation.
Law Enforcement, Prosecutor and T and U Visa Certifier Training Materials
Most of the documents in this section and the trainings provided to law enforcement and prosecutors listed at the end of this section were supported by grants from the Office on Violence Against Women, The Bureau of Justice Assistance and/or the Training and Technical Assistance Center of the Office of Victims of Crime of the […]
[pdf] Consecutive Interpretation Exercise (+)
Exercise illustrating the difficulties of consecutive interpretation.
[pdf] Somewhere to Turn (+)
A comprehensive manual covering topics such as: domestic violence and battered immigrant issues, cultural competency training, cross-cultural interviewing, recruiting and hiring multilingual and multicultural staff, shelter protocols, outreach and community collaboration, shelter access for battered immigrant women, VAWA immigration cases and victim advocacy confidentiality, creative use of protection orders, protections orders enforcement and criminal prosecution, access to public benefits, verification and reporting requirements under the U.S. Attorney General’s guidance and order, and model programs.
[pdf] Tips: Ensuring Effective and Accurate Interpretation (+)
Steps to have effective and accurate interpretation when working with non-English speaking sexual assault victims.
[pdf] Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter (+)
Tips to remember when working with an interpreter and a non-English speaking client.
[pdf] Identifying Whether an Interpreter Is Needed and Tips for Working with an Interpreter (+)
Determining whether an interpreter is needed and tips for working with an interpreter for non-English speaking individuals.
[pdf] People Who Should Not Interpret in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases (+)
List of people who should not interpret in domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
[pdf] Interpreter Fatigue (+)
Discussion of interpreter fatigue and its impact on court records and on protecting the rights of linguistic minorities.
[pdf] Proper Role of a Court Interpreter (+)
Guidelines of what an individuals should look for when working with a court interpreter.
[pdf] Best Practice: Team Interpreting (+)
Best practices for simultaneous and consecutive interpreting calls for two or more interpreters for court proceedings lasting longer than two hours.
[pdf] Number of Interpreters Needed Question & Answer (+)
Questions and answers to determine how many interpreters are needed.
[pdf] Interpretation Modes: Rules and Techniques (+)
Rules and techniques for interpreters to follow when working with a limited English proficient (LEP) individual to ensure they have the same access as an English speaking person.
[pdf] King County Court: In the Interview… (+)
Helpful checklist for advocates or anyone speaking with survivors with their interpreters.
[pdf] NCSC, Serving Limited English Proficient (LEP) Battered Women: A National Survey of the Courts’ Capacity to Provide Protection Orders (June 30, 2006) (+)
This study explores the capacity of Limited English Proficient (LEP) petitioners to receive
orders of protection. It was carried out by using a multi-method study design that included a
national survey of courts, an intensive survey of a select group of courts and community-based
organizations within their jurisdictions, and the assessment of selected sites that can serve as
national models.
[pdf] Bench Card: Court Interpretation in Protection Order Hearings (+)
Judicial benchcard to help judges determine when a language interpreter is necessary and how to appoint and work with an interpreter an interpreter during Order of Protection Proceedings.
[pdf] Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters Serving Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Victims of Domestic Violence Outside of the Courtroom and Judicial Settings (+)
Details of the “Model Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary,” for interpreters who work with limited English proficiency (LEP) individuals.
[pdf] Lost in Translation: Points to consider when using interpreters (+)
List of points to consider when using interpreters.
[pdf] Telephonic Interpretation: Washington State Interpreters Program (+)
Court Rule 11.2 that explains when telephonic interpreters can be appointed in Washington State
[pdf] Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters: Washington State Interpreters Program (+)
Interpreter’s code of conduct for Washington State Interpreters program.
[pdf] Consecutive Exercise (+)
An exercise for interpreters to practice listening to others that will help improve their interpreting abilities.
[pdf] How Do You Determine Who Needs An Interpreter? (+)
Questions to ask and not to ask when determining someone’s English speaking level.