It’s been a long time since I first started interpreting professionally. I translated for many years before daring to take an interpreting exam and in 1998, took the Berlitz test so that I could interpret for the then EOIR Executive Office of Immigration Review government contractor, under the umbrella of the Department of Justice or DOJ.
I remember being so nervous the day of the test. There was a sight translation portion and consecutive and simultaneous portions. I had never taken a test to evaluate my language skills and was so nervous. I didn’t really think that I had a chance! Considering at the time I had no professional interpreting experience, I did relatively well.
After passing the exam, I received my first assignment to interpret at an immigration detention center. I will never forget that day – showed up with my water, pad and pens, reading glasses and glossaries! I heard stories about the security measures in place when you enter these facilities but nothing prepared me for what was behind those barbwire fences! The place was intimidating enough, with its 5-6″ thick solid steel doors and its stoned-faced looking guards, without mentioning the judge that I was assigned to work with that day. He was very serious as he looked at me when I entered his courtroom. I identified myself and handed him my paperwork, which revealed that this was my very first hearing in immigration… ever. He smiled and said, “Welcome to Eloy”.
I believe that it is because of that judge that I am still an immigration interpreter today. Had it not been for his kindness and for him slowing down the speed with which he spoke, I would NEVER had made it past that first hearing.
A strong advocate of the profession from the get go, I became a member of two national translation/interpreting organizations and began volunteering almost immediately upon receiving membership. I have always thought it was important to give back to the profession that had given me so much. So, I began my professional journey, which included attending every professional development opportunity available. With no formal education in translation or interpreting, I felt the need to absorb every little bit of knowledge.
Fast forward twenty years! I have now shared my experiences and given talks and presentations about interpreting in immigration at many conferences and workshops, including the ATA, ATI, NAJIT and FIT. I have had the honor and great pleasure of participating on many committees related to the same topic of immigration court interpreters and I’m always trying to bring awareness about this niche section of the profession even though ICI may not always be recognized by some of our colleagues and institutions. Why is that? Well, there are many reasons but the primary one is because of the lack of a certifying credential, as there is no certification or accreditation for ICI specifically. Nevertheless, there are two credentialing programs available for court interpreters: the state and the federal interpreter certification programs. Let’s talk about that!
State Certification Exams
All interpreters, specifically immigration court interpreters, should strive to get certified via some nationally recognized credential. That is the only way to demonstrate to the rest of the world that immigration court interpreters are just as qualified as any other court interpreter in other circuits and finally do away with the false perceptions of our skills or lack thereof. For years, there have been discussions about the different testing evaluations given to contract immigration court interpreters. With a state credential, there should be no question of your abilities and/or skills, and it sure looks good on your résumé.
Here are links to some of the state certification programs in the nation:
- Arizona – https://www.azcourts.gov/interpreter/Arizona-Court-Interpreter-Credentialing-Program
- California – https://www.courts.ca.gov/7996.htm
- Colorado – https://www.courts.state.co.us/Administration/Section.cfm?Section=interpcandidates
- Florida – https://www.flcourts.org/Resources-Services/Court-Services/Court-Interpreting
- Illinois – http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/CivilJustice/LanguageAccess/default.asp
- Maryland – https://www.courts.state.md.us/interpreter
- Massachussets – https://www.mass.gov/information-for-prospective-interpreters-for-the-courts
- Nevada – https://nvcourts.gov/AOC/Featured_Programs/Nevada_Certified_Court_Interpreter_Program/
- New York – http://ww2.nycourts.gov/COURTINTERPRETER/ExamInformation.shtml
- Oregon – https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/interpreters/Pages/default.aspx
- Pennsylvania – http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/interpreter-program/interpreter-certification
- South Carolina – https://www.sccourts.org/cr/HowtoBecomeCourtInterpreter.cfm
- Texas – https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/assistive-services-providers/board-evaluation-interpreters-certification-program
- Virginia – http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/djs/programs/interpreters/fli_exam_registration.html
- Vermont – https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/programs-and-services/interpreters-and-translators-vermont-courts
- Washington – https://www.courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/pos_interpret/
Federal Court Interpreter Program
The “Cadillac” of all programs, the court interpreting examination is the most respected and recognized credentialing program for court interpreters in the nation. Here’s some more information about the program:
Examination Phases
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination, often referred to as the FCICE, is administered in two phases. Candidates may take the examination multiple times if necessary. Eligibility to sit for the oral exam is dependent on successfully passing the written exam. To become federally certified, one must pass both the Written and the Oral examinations.
Written Examination
The written examination is offered only once per testing period. It is a computer-administered screener exam which includes a multiple-choice test of English proficiency and a multiple-choice test of Spanish proficiency. You must pass the written examination in order to qualify to take the oral examination. The next time the written exam will be administered again is in 2022.
Oral Examination
The oral examination measures the ability to effectively perform the three modes of court interpreting: sight translation and simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of discourse, all of which must reflect the correct form and content of authentic interpreting functions encountered in the federal courts.
Accordingly, the candidate is required to demonstrate the ability to effectively carry out these functions bi-directionally. Test items include both formal and informal/colloquial language, technical and legal terminology, and special vocabulary or other specialized language use which is part of the active vocabulary of a highly articulate speaker. The FCICE is offered only for Spanish/English, since that is the primary interpreting need in the federal judiciary.
The oral examination has been postponed until December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The information provided above are excepts from the websites listed below for your convenience.
References:
- https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/federal-court-interpreters
- https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/aousc
Finally, let me reiterate the importance of a certification and/or accreditation in the profession. If you are a professional translator, there is nothing that compares with the advantage of having the American Translators Association (ATA) credential.
Likewise, if you are a court interpreter, seek to be certified at the state and/or federal level. With that comes the recognition of your colleagues and peers. There is no substitute for it!
Good luck in your careers and stay safe! Until next time…
The Traveling Interpreter 