America’s midterm elections are right around the corner, and millions of citizens will be heading to the voting booths. Political campaigns are being presented around cities across the United States, and politicians are informing constituents of their future goals. The United States is one of the world’s most racially and ethnically diverse countries. With all the different cultures and languages in the U.S., politicians are finding ways to reach all potential voters in their respective preferred languages.

In the US, federal law requires language assistance for voting and political campaigns, known as the Voting Rights Act, for over 300 demographics. This ensures that the law will be pursued even if a voter doesn’t ask for a translation service because they don’t speak English.

The law supports non-English speaking Americans with the opportunity to engage in the political system and learn about their voting rights. Politicians and political groups prepare their messages in multiple languages to inform non-English speaking citizens of their political stances and goals. A translation service can be a critical component of their campaign strategies.

What Are Translation Services?

Translation services include the processes of changing written information from one language to another. Written information, whether on paper or in digital form, is subject to translation services when required.

Depending upon the county or state the politicians and public interest groups are doing business in, the law mandates translations in multiple languages during political campaigns. This may come in the form of subtitles for commercials, translated scripts, or translated flyers and handouts.

Translation Services for Political Campaigns

Voting rights are an essential component of every campaign.

If we look at Orange County as an example, they provide translated and bilingual materials in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Although some voters may not request document translation, it is a federal law that mandates certain areas, like OC, to prepare themselves for such an occasion.

The Voting Rights Act prevents these required counties and states from denying misinterpretation or shortening of literacy materials and has a long, important history. It is why counties like Orange County must provide accurate and exact translations of materials up front.

Demographics play an important role for the Voting Rights Act and it is vital to know how a political campaign needs to provide materials in several different languages.

The demographic must meet one of two criteria:

•  10,000 people within that population speak a language other than English
• More than five percent of that population speak a language other than English

Translated Campaign Posters & Flyers for Elections

Document translation serves not only the federal or state levels, but also grassroots organizations like the League of Women Voters, who aim to reach as many voters as possible through advocacy, education, and litigation. The League of Women Voters emphasizes the importance of increasing accessibility to the electoral process for multilingual communities.

Not only are they empowering voters through translated flyers, but they also promote other essential voting information centers such as websites available in other languages. The process of translating flyers, websites, handouts, and ballots is an important and necessary part of each campaign that must be perfectly curated.
Politicians and public interest groups must also reach their intended audience regardless of the preferred language. For this reason, translating websites into multiple languages and getting their message across while incorporating appropriate cultural nuances can be achieved with an expert translator.

Interpreting Services for Political Candidates

What is the difference between translation services and interpreting services?

Translation services deal with written documents, whether physical or digital. However, interpreting services are used for spoken word. It may be something political candidates and public interest groups need to consider when planning political rallies or other campaign events.

An interpreter must be perceptive, sharp, and on-point, to decipher and convey emotion, cultural nuances, verbiage, tone, and even humor in a live setting without hiccups or errors, especially in professional settings.

For political candidates or groups like The League of Women Voters, live interpreting happens during rallies, door-to-door campaigning, speeches, and anywhere multilingual communication is needed.

Interpreting helps citizens who require knowledge in their native language to obtain voting information, register to vote, and learn how to help their community prosper.

The Importance and Role of Language Services

The role of language services during political campaigns is important, not just for the candidate but for organizations helping to get their messages across.
During periods of political turmoil, it is imperative to refer to the Voting Rights Act. As we recently learned in the heated political climate of 2020, where voting booths shifted to voting by mail seemingly overnight without the proper translation or interpreting options required by law.

Not only is it required to provide language services, but it helps the democratic process. In other words, everyone must have access to all required documents, ballots, ballot boxes, and voting machines, in the languages requested.

Communicate with Your Community in the Right Language

Are you a political candidate or public interest group that is interested in language translation services? INGCO International can help you effectively communicate your message and engage with your entire community. INGCO helps to ensure that all information is translated efficiently and accurately. Also, if an interpreter is necessary, INGCO provides them for all speeches and other events to help inform voters of your political platform.

The importance of communication is essential and even more so in a crucial time such as voting day. Make every effort to engage with the entire community by providing a connection in the right language. INGCO International promises a successful strategy to reach every citizen in their own language.

Contact INGCO International and see how their language obsessed, hard-working Wordologists℠ can help transform your campaign.

If you or your business will be appearing in court, it is important to understand the role of the court interpreter. Court interpreters play a vital role in ensuring that communication between all parties involved in a legal proceeding is effective and accurate, but that might not be the first thing on your mind if you are preparing for court, right? No worries! We will explore the role of court interpreters and provide tips on how to select the right interpreter for your needs. Let’s get started with the information you need to know.

What is a court interpreter?

First and foremost, a court interpreter is a professional who is trained to interpret spoken or written communication in a legal setting. Court interpreters must be fluent in both the source language (the language being interpreted from) and the target language (the language being interpreted). They must also have a thorough understanding of legal terminology in both languages. Cultural context plays a big role here because different words can mean different things in different languages. Court interpreters will be able to decipher unique cultural and linguistic nuances, so you don’t have to.

What does the interpreter do in courtroom trials and legal proceedings?

The interpreter’s role is to facilitate communication between all parties in a legal proceeding. This includes interpreting what is said by witnesses, attorneys, and other parties during court proceedings. The interpreter must also be able to provide accurate translations of written information and required documentation that is presented as evidence.

What is the difference between Certified and Registered Interpreters?

In this industry, both terms will come up, so knowing the difference is important. Certified interpreters have met specific standards set by the state or federal government. To become certified, interpreters must pass a written and oral exam in both the source and target languages. Registered interpreters have not necessarily met these same standards, but they have completed a training program and passed a proficiency test. Depending on your situation, you may need either. A certified interpreter may be a little more expensive, but you will have assurances that they are qualified.

What about the difference between a Qualified and Certified Interpreter?

The term “qualified interpreter” is generally used to refer to an interpreter who has met the minimum requirements to interpret in a specific setting. For court interpreters, this typically includes being able to show proof of fluency in both the source and target languages, as well as having completed a training program. Certified interpreters have met additional standards set by the state or federal government to work within those specific court systems.

How does court interpreting work in state and federal legal proceedings?

In the United States, there are two main types of court interpreting: federal and state. Federal court interpreters are employees of the United States District Courts. State court interpreters are generally independent contractors who work for state or local courts. There are both federal and state–specific certification courses and tests that interpreters can take to work within the United States. Be sure to check state and local laws to determine if differentiation is required to work as or use an interpreter in the court where your case will be tried.

How can I find a qualified court interpreter?

If you need help finding qualified interpreters, there are a few resources that can assist you. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has a list of federally certified interpreters. State governments also generally have lists of state–certified and/or registered interpreters. One place to begin your search is through the U.S. government, which acts as a national center database for federal court interpreters.

When selecting court interpreter candidates, it is important to consider the type of courtroom proceeding for your case, the language requirements, and the qualifications of the interpreter you desire. Most importantly, you should also confirm that the interpreter is available on the dates you need them.

Why do I need a court interpreter?

If you are involved in a legal proceeding in a federal court, it is important to have a court interpreter present to ensure that communication is clear and accurate for all parties involved. Court interpreters are trained professionals who can interpret spoken testimony and provide document translations. While you may be able to use a family member or friend as an interpreter, it is always best to use a professional court interpreter to ensure accuracy and avoid any potential conflicts of interest or cultural misunderstandings, especially in federal courts.

How do court interpreters work?

Certified court interpreters typically work as independent contractors. This means they are not employees of the court system or a national center, but rather they are hired by individual attorneys or parties to support a specific case. In some instances, the court may appoint an interpreter, but this is generally only done in significant criminal cases.

How can INGCO International help?

If you need a court interpreter or want to talk through what court interpreting may look like for your needs, INGCO International can help! We are a full-service interpreting and translation company with over 16 years of experience in state and federal courts. We have a network of over 3,500 legal specialists, certified court interpreters, and translators who are ready to assist you with all of your preferred language needs. Contact us today to get started!

As our society has evolved and international collaboration has grown, the number of languages spoken has exploded. As a result, translation services and interpreting are vital in addressing language barriers in all aspects of legal proceedings.

Legal Interpretation Defined

The Minnesota Judicial Department defines legal interpreters in the following two ways:

1. Certified Interpreter

• Attended a two-day orientation seminar
• Scored at least an 80% on the written examination
• Scored at least a 70% on a three-part oral exam
• Passed a criminal background check
• Abides by the Court Interpreter Code of Professional Ethics

2. Non-Certified Interpreter

• Attended a two-day orientation seminar
• Passed a criminal background check
• Abides by the Court Interpreter Code of Professional Ethics

Why Legal Interpretation Is Important

In the criminal justice system, defendants and plaintiffs who don’t speak English face challenges in the courtroom. This language barrier prevents many people from understanding procedures or their rights under the law. It also makes them ill-equipped to cooperate with their attorneys.

Defendants must be able to provide key information and help understand ways to structure their defense. Plaintiffs need to understand the strength of their case and the risk/benefit analysis when considering a settlement. The language barrier impedes a basic criminal justice operation, causing issues for all parties involved.

Challenges with the language barrier do not stop in the courtroom.

The nuances of:

• Business transactions
• Insurance and real estate contracts
• Employee benefits
• Financial statements

Can literally get lost in translation!

Without a clear understanding of what the documents ask, people who do not speak English are at a massive disadvantage.

What Makes a Good Legal Interpreter?

A good interpreter can do more than just legal translations. They understand the nuance in a lawyer’s questions and provide clients with the most comprehensive translation. Without interpreters, those who cannot speak English would be denied the full protection of the law.

Legal interpreters are professional linguists, with relevant qualifications and most importantly, courtroom experience.

They need to be able to translate language, tone and context. It is also vital that they can translate the law, particularly in situations where legislation differs or terminology cannot be directly translated from one language to another.

In addition to these skills, a legal interpreter must be:

• Extremely reliable
• Impartial
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality throughout the case

The Essentials of Legal Interpretation

Legal interpretation has its own set of rules, terminology, difficulties, solutions and patterns. One should not assume legal or court interpreting is simply a matter of understanding two languages and legalese. There are many aspects of legal interpreting that are unexpected and problematic, and using non-qualified interpreters can be one of those problems!

Accuracy in court interpreting is not reached by linguistic fluency alone. What is also extremely important is a high level of knowledge of legal terminology in both working languages.

If an interpreter does not understand legal terminology and procedures, they will be unable to:

• Pass along what is being asked
• Translate legal assumptions to languages that are not in their native tongue
• Communicate the requirements and consequences of the situations in their clients are involved in

At the same time, not only must a court interpreter be able to do all of this with speech, they also need to be able to translate legal documents and pieces of evidence, verbatim, by sight.

Legal Interpreting is Literally the Law!

In Minnesota, legal interpreting is federally mandated. Therefore, professional court interpreters must be used consistently and correctly. According to a recent American Community Survey, approximately 10.26% of the Minnesota population speaks a language other than English.

Lack of Proper Interpretation Qualifications Can Pose Challenges

Misunderstandings are surprisingly common in state and local courts. Many states and localities don’t use tested court interpreters and ignore federal rules for when interpreters are required. This prevents criminal defendants and civil litigants with limited English skills from properly navigating the complex legal system. Ultimately, it jeopardizes their constitutional rights.

The lack of skilled interpreters is less of a problem in federal courts, where interpreters must pass a competitive test. Most states certify court interpreters, requiring that they pass a test to demonstrate their language skills. However, state certification tests aren’t as rigorous as the federal ones, and many state and local courts allow uncertified interpreters to serve even if they haven’t passed the test. Many states also ignore the federal mandate that they provide free interpreters in both criminal and civil courts.

Unfortunately, states allow uncertified interpreters to serve for various reasons.

• States may not have a certification test for languages of lesser diffusion
• If they do, it’s possible that nobody has passed it
• Judges are forced to rely on someone who isn’t certified or someone who is familiar with the language but doesn’t regularly interpret

INGCO Can Help with your Most Complex Legal Interpretation Needs

The role of the legal interpreter is difficult, demanding and complex. It requires talented, highly disciplined and well-trained professionals who display the utmost care and confidentiality. Our network of more than 3,500 specialized legal linguists makes us the prime choice for legal translation and interpreting. We have extensive experience working with Fortune 500 legal departments and the world’s largest law firms.

Contact us today to discuss your legal translation services needs.

Legal translation poses a unique challenge. It requires transposing legal concepts from one language to another while accounting for differences between the two legal systems. All versions of the document must be identical in meaning, and even a minor mistake could alter or invalidate it. However, translators are human and sometimes make costly legal translation mistakes. Here’s a look at three of them.  

The 2011 Free Trade Agreement Between the European Union (EU) and South Korea

South Korea was set to sign a free trade agreement with the EU, but translation errors delayed it by several months. The Korea version contained 128 major translation errors and 16 typos, making it impossible for the Trade Minister to get the bill passed. South Korea withdrew from the agreement until a second draft could be approved. The delay cost an untold amount for both South Korea and the EU.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation vs. Ecuador

A tribunal hearing the case of Occidental Petroleum Corporation vs. Ecuador ruled against Ecuador and awarded the company $1.76 billion all because of translation errors. Occidental previously reached an agreement with Ecuador, which allowed them to explore regions of the Amazon for oil. Occidental later breached the agreement by failing to solicit approval from their farmout agreement, but the tribunal ruled that terminating it was disproportional. However, Ecuadorian representative Professor Brigitte Stern blamed the poor Spanish translation for the ruling.

U.S. Bombing of Hiroshima in World War II

In the worst-case scenario, legal translation errors can result in tragedy. The National Security Agency in the U.S. declassified a document that reveals what may have been the biggest translation failure in history.

On July 26, 1945, the U.S. and her allies issued a statement that called for the surrender of all Japanese forces. If Japan failed to surrender, it would face “prompt and utter destruction.” Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki replied in a press conference that the Japanese response would be one of “mokusatsu”, or serious consideration. However, mokusatsu can also mean “to contemptuously ignore”, and that translation was given to President Harry Truman. Just 10 days later, the Enola Gray dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

How to Avoid Legal Translation Errors

Given the potential damage a minor error can cause, hiring the right legal translator is essential. You need someone who is not only fluent in both languages, but understands the nuances of the legal subfield you’re working in.

At INGCO International, we have a network of over 3,500 specialized legal translators that possess global expertise in the sector. Using our legal translator assessment tool, we select linguists who have an in-depth knowledge of the field you need. Upon completion, a third-party proof reads the content to guarantee that the translation is flawless. You’ll receive accurate, certified translations that ensure the transaction runs smoothly—on time and within budget constraints. We translate:

• Contracts
• Notarized documents
• Corporate and government proposals
• Transcripts
• Discovery material
• Legal briefs
• And much more

Need a legal translation for an upcoming project? Contact us today to find out how we can help!  

The worldwide refugee population has more than doubled in only a decade. By the end of  2019, over 30 million people had fled their homeland due to conflict or persecution. And while countries around the world are working together to help, millions still face a maze of legal requirements as they seek a permanent home.

To make matters worse, language barriers pose a major challenge when it comes to getting assistance. That means legal interpreters play an essential role in the resettlement process for many. But before we dive into the benefits of legal interpreting, let’s get clear on some terminology.

Refugees vs. Asylum Seekers

Both refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing their country of origin due to a fear of persecution because of their:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Membership in a social group
• Or political beliefs

However, there is a key legal distinction between the two groups.

To be classified as a refugee, someone must apply for refugee status with an official entity, such as a government or United National Refugee Agency. Then they typically need to wait abroad until their application is accepted. Since the process can take years, refugees often flee to neighboring countries and reside in refugee camps while they wait.

On the other hand, an asylum seeker applies for protection once they arrive in the country of destination. They can typically apply regardless of how they arrived or immigration status. If their case is approved, they will receive a notice for a hearing or interview to determine if they can remain in the country. But again, the appointment may not be for months or years in the future.

The Role of Legal Interpreters

If someone who doesn’t speak the local language files for refugee or asylum status, they’ll typically need the assistance of a legal interpreter. Although bilingual legal staff at humanitarian organizations or government agencies can help, they’re no replacement for a professional legal interpreter. Here’s why.

When it comes to the application process, accuracy is of the utmost importance. Even a minor error on a form or in an applicant’s statement can result in rejection. And unlike bilingual employees or bilingual third-parties, a professional interpreter has been trained to meet this high-standard of accuracy.

Now, given that refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing to safety, many have experienced trauma. Recounting those experiences is often difficult and an applicant may struggle to provide sufficient details or use euphemisms to describe what happened. When that occurs, the interpreter may ask the applicant to clarify a statement to ensure they interpret it correctly.

The legal interpreter also serves as a neutral third-party. They are neither an advocate for the applicant nor a representative of a government entity. This is important because it ensures that the information provided has not been altered to sway a decision. It may also make an applicant feel more comfortable because the legal interpreter is solely there to facilitate communication.

How INGCO International Can Help

As you can see, a legal interpreter can make the difference between someone receiving refugee or asylum status or being denied. At INGCO International, our network of certified legal interpreters can assist you in-person, over-the-phone, or via video remote. Whether you need an interpreter for a local or international assignment, we’ll work with you to place the most qualified interpreter for your needs.

Want to learn more about our legal interpreting services? Contact us today!

Ingrid Christensen, President and 20+ year professional Spanish interpreter stated that “our job is to say exactly what each party in the room says – nothing more, nothing less. Once our job is done, everything that was said disappears. I speak for hundreds of people a year and I cannot tell you tomorrow what I interpreted today.” According to Christensen, professional interpreters train for years to strengthen their short-term memory, which includes note taking. “I look at my notes post-assignment and they look like chicken scratch… I’ve developed my own “language” of sorts that helps me remember details, but they mean nothing after the assignment and mean even less to anyone else. Subpoenaing my notes would be worthless to anyone, even me!”

Interpreters study and strengthen short term memory techniques to ensure that their interpretation is accurate, complete and without additional content at the very moment the interpretation occurs. They do not study long-term memory techniques nor work toward strengthening those skills. At the very moment the interpretation occurs literally means in one ear in one language, out the mouth in another language while simultaneously listening to the next message to interpret.

What interpreters don’t do is recall information or messages for future use, which is precisely why interpreters would not perform very well under a subpoena.

There are legal and ethical reasons why interpreters shouldn’t be subpoenaed. The Executive Committee of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) released a statement, which points to its own Code of Professional Ethics and says that the “cardinal principle applied worldwide since WWII [is] that interpreters should never be obliged to give testimony.”

Interpreter Code of Ethics

A growing trend to subpoena interpreters to testify about something they may have witnessed or interpreted while on assignment clearly puts the interpreter in violation of a tenet found in all interpreter codes of ethics: the tenet of confidentiality. Protecting confidentiality is fundamental to the work of the interpreter. Without absolute trust in this practice, the consumer of services is less likely to be fully engaged in the encounter. That said, a subpoena is a subpoena and interpreters are not above the law but because it conflicts with their professional Code of Ethics.

I was in an interesting interview today and it dawned on me that there are vast differences between court and corporate  interpreting and wanted to take the opportunity to point some of them out. Court vs corporate interpreting may seem like a minimal issue but understanding the challenges that both professionals face are critical in successful interpreting experiences.

Court Interpreting

In court interpreting, it is absolutely essential to accurately translate each and every word so that the court can make an impartial judgment. The court interpreter has a huge liability to make sure that everyone that is in the setting is absolutely sure of every word spoken.

Court interpreters typically utilize the consecutive interpreting mode, which allows for one person to speak at a time uttering short statements or sentences. The court interpreter also utilizes extensive note-taking and memory skills to recall the entirety of spoken content.

Corporate Interpreting

In corporate interpreting, it is absolutely essential to accurately translate concepts. Rather than interpreting each and every word, corporate interpreting tends to focus more on the overall content and messaging to ensure that the audience members have a smooth and pleasant experience throughout the event.

Corporate interpreters typically utilize the simultaneous interpreting mode, which means that the interpreter will begin interpreting a few seconds after the speaker begins speaking, in a sense “speaking over” the speaker. The interpreter accomplishes this by often times using electronic equipment and sit in a soundproof booth and the audience members listen via headsets.

Court vs Corporate Interpreting

No one is perfect, and human error is inevitable. Interpreters must have thick skin and listen to and accept constructive criticism. Feedback is something that interpreters sometimes never get and when it is offered, it is likely very well welcomed. That said, nothing is better than proper preparation. Interpreters in any setting or format will be able to succeed if they are allowed the time to research key terms and become familiar with the content to be interpreted. Court interpreters just like corporate interpreters have high stakes to get the translated message absolutely accurate. INGCO International is proud to offer language solutions in 200+ languages across the globe.

A deposition is the process of giving sworn evidence. Depositions are common within the legal system. Deposition interpreters are utilized for a variety of cases including medical device tort claims and personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.

3 Steps for Deposition Interpreter Success

There are several steps one should take to ensure that the deposition interpreter is prepared for success and that the interpreted deposition is accurate and useful.

1. Prep the interpreter.
2. Issue the oath.
3. Decide on interpreting mode — consecutive or simultaneous.

Prep the Interpreter.

Prepping the interpreter is rule #1 for all interpreting assignments. Depositions are no exception. Deposition interpreters must be provided with background information, names, dates and pertinent vocabulary well before the deposition begins so that they are adequately prepared for the rigorous assignment. Interpreter preparation does in no way mean that the interpreter is less qualified or “not as good.” In fact, all professionally trained interpreters will demand on preparation material in advance so they can perform to their highest ability.

Issue the Oath.

Make sure the court reporter swears in the interpreter with the following oath: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will accurately translate from English into _____ and from  _____ into English to the best of your ability?
Upon confirming, the interpreter should interpret the oath to the non-English speaking deponent so that she fully understands the role and responsibility of the interpreter. The court reporter will then ask the interpreter to have the witness raise their right hand and will administer the standard oath. Deposition interpreters will also convey to all parties what their role and responsibilities are outside of the oath,

Decide on Interpreting Mode.

There are several different interpreting modes and the two most common interpreting modes for depositions are consecutive and simultaneous modes. Consecutive interpreting is when one person speaks at a time in short sentences. The interpreter uses her memory and note taking skills to interpret the sentences into the other language and waits for the response to interpret the answer. Simultaneous interpreting is when the interpreter is interpreting at the same time the speaker is speaking. This is a skill that requires training and practice and can be very useful in a variety of settings. Typically simultaneous interpreters use electronic interpreting headsets and microphones so that the audience can focus on the interpreted content. Depositions interpreters will usually guide the parties involved in taking the deposition to decide what mode is preferred. Sometimes court reporters prefer the consecutive interpreting mode because it makes their task of recording all uttered content easier while some find the simultaneous interpreting mode takes less time and less cumbersome.

INGCO International based in Minnesota has over 15 years of deposition interpreting experience across the world. While many depositions take place in the United States, many of our interpreters travel internationally for complex legal cases that require extensive interpretation services. We look forward to working with you to provide certified and professional interpreting services in all languages across the globe.

Employees injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits pursuant to the employer’s obligation. Workers’ compensation interpreters are professionally trained interpreters that work with limited English speaking injured workers throughout their treatment and recovery. In many states when the injured employee does not speak English, he or she is entitled to a workers’ compensation interpreter and the employer is required to provide reasonably required interpreter services during medical treatment appointments for an injured worker who is unable to speak, understand, or communicate in English.

Workers’ compensation interpreters may be necessary for the following settings:

• Telephone calls and recorded statements
• Initial meetings between the injured workers and the insurer, QRC or Case Manager
• Medical appointments
• Physical and/or occupational therapy appointments
• Independent medical exams (IME)
• Adverse medical exams (AME)
• Depositions
• Mediations
• Arbitrations

Currently, the State of Minnesota does not mandate payment regulations in regards to interpreter services but it is a general practice that workers’ compensation interpreters are reimbursed for their professional services by the employer or workers’ compensation insurer. Typically workers’ compensation interpreters are reimbursed pursuant to standard payment rates including:

Medical Appointments

• 2-hour minimum pay per on-site appointment
• Appointments scheduled for 2+ hours are billed for the scheduled time
• Appointments that last 2+ hours when not initially scheduled for that length of time are billed in 30 minute increments past the 2-hour minimum
• Hourly rate depends on a variety of criteria including language, location and certification requirements
• Mileage (Federal mileage rate) and parking reimbursed when applicable
• Appointments cancelled with less than 24-business hours notice are billed at the 2-hour minimum rate
• Appointments cancelled with more than 24-business hours notice are not billed

Legal Appointments

• 3-hour minimum pay per on-site appointment
• Appointments scheduled for 3+ hours are billed for the scheduled time AND require 2 interpreters
• Appointments that last 3+ hours when not initially scheduled for that length of time are billed in 30 minute increments past the 2-hour minimum
• Hourly rate depends on a variety of criteria including language, location and certification requirements
• Mileage (Federal mileage rate) and parking reimbursed when applicable
• Appointments cancelled with less than 24-business hours notice are billed at the 3-hour minimum rate
• Appointments cancelled with more than 24-business hours notice are not billed

The “Working With Interpreters: A Multicultural Experience” workshop was held to help stakeholders become more familiar with the issues surrounding the use of interpreter services in the workers’ compensation context. The workshop was geared toward helping all workers’ compensation professionals learn how to make the best use of interpreter services and what to expect from an interpreter in a variety of situations.

INGCO International has 15+ years of professional experience within the workers’ compensation system. While we are base in Minneapolis, Minnesota, our service area extends across Minnesota and the United States. Our wide network of professional workers’ compensation interpreters in all major languages paired with our breadth of understanding of the unique and specialized vocabulary make us WC industry experts.

Reach out to us now to set up a workers’ compensation interpreter.

What is the ethical role of the interpreter?

Lawsuit after translator at chicken farm fired

Per the ethical role of the interpreter, language service professionals – interpreters and translators – are not allowed to make any comments regarding the interpreted information unless it is life threatening. For example, if an interpreter is walking out of a medical exam room and the patient she is interpreting for murmurs “I’m going to kill myself!” the interpreter’s ethical responsibility is to notify the medical professional that she is interpreting for. Period. But the line is not always so black and white, and many interpreters are filled with ethical decisions when situations fall into the gray zone.

What about the role of a full-time interpreter that witnesses unfair treatment? Recently a full-time interpreter was released from his full-time position after presenting various formal complaints regarding the treatment of the workers he was hired to interpret for. The EEOC has taken up the case of an interpreter hired to interpret for Haitian workers at a Lumber Bridge chicken farm in Florida that was let go from his position a few days after presenting yet another complaint regarding mistreatment towards the farm workers.

The interpreter claims that he witnessed unfair treatment ranging from not allowing the Haitian workers bathroom breaks to witnessing Haitian workers being pelted with chicken parts. He states in the EEOC complaint that after presenting several complaints regarding the workers mistreatment, he was let go from his position.

Interpreters are faced with ethical decisions all of the time. We know that our role is to be the bridge of communication between the limited-English speaker and the English-speaking provider. That is clear. But what are we to do when we witness mistreatment? Are we to keep quiet, or is it our ethical role to say something?

For years interpreters have been discussing ethical dilemmas. They have always existed, and are not going away any time soon. The recent situation with the full-time interpreter that was fired after alleged performance issues brings to light again the role of the interpreter.

And the question remains: is the ethical obligation different for a full-time interpreter?

Does he or she have the right to present formal complaints regarding the limited-English speaker that he/she is interpreting for?

What do you think?

Some information provided by Business Management Daily.com: http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/37065/lawsuit-after-translator-at-chicken-farm-gets-the-ax