The Importance of Qualified Interpreters

Some things can’t get lost in translation. That’s where they come in.  As a Spanish language interpreter, MariPaz Russell is a “tunnel of communication” between judges and Spanish-speaking clients.

“As an interpreter you have to make a split-second decision on what words you’re going to use because you really have the client’s life on your tongue,” Russell explained.

Language choice could change the course of a trial. A word in one Spanish dialect might mean something different in another.

“Language evolves every day,” said Russell, who reads as much as she can in both English and Spanish, learning pop culture references and Spanish Internet slang.

Source: Interpreters keep court talk on track