Professionalism and Preparation: Tips and Tricks

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newbie just getting your feet wet, these professionalism tips and preparation tricks for interpreters are sure to come in handy. This is from a court interpreter’s perspective, but the basics can and should also be applied in medical and community interpreting.

• Research and Create a Glossary – Usually, the court only provides you with the case number, hearing type and names of the parties. However, case management systems are often available to the public online. For example, in the state of Missouri, you can simply search by case number at https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/welcome.do. You will gain immediate access to information such as the attorneys, charges, proceedings, etc. Search for glossaries on the web using the hearing type (“landlord/tenant case glossary” yields multiple results). Then, translate all of these terms into your other working language.
• Verify Location, Date and Time – The court and client will often provide the wrong address, division, date and/or time of the hearing. Always double check on the case management system.
• Dress to Impress – I am sure you have heard this before, but business professional attire is the way to go. You will be respected more as a professional if you look the part. Suits, professional dresses, slacks, button-down shirts, heels, loafers or flats. Modest colors, nothing too flashy. Minimal jewelry. I have been personally requested by a judge before because she appreciates that I am always dressed professionally. Here is a quick guide that compares business professional with business casual dress from the Career Services Ambassadors: https://sph.emory.edu/careers/documents/ProfessionalDressforSuccess.pdf.
• Be Fresh – Interpreting, especially in the simultaneous mode, can be a very mentally exhausting exercise. It is important that we take care of ourselves to allow our brain to function at full capacity. Get enough sleep. Have something to eat. Drink water. Caffeine helps!
• Show Up Early – If you are unfamiliar with the location, it is best to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and walking. If you know the area, allow whatever time necessary to walk into the courtroom/office/jail 15 minutes before the start time. This allows you to check in, prepare your notes and equipment, use the restroom, if necessary, etc. I always tell myself that if I am not 15 minutes early, I am late. That way, I am never actually late.
• Be Humble – As a court interpreter, you know that security is another factor in our arrival. Every facility is different and policies and procedures can be very inconsistent and confusing. Additionally, some security guards have an authority complex and are determined to make things difficult, but you will only interact with them for a few seconds or a couple of minutes at most. Do whatever they say and know that shortly you will be on your way. Another piece of advice I have on this is to just wait your turn in line unless the security guard offers to let you come forward. Do not assume that they will cut you a break.  
• Announce Your Presence – You might think that it is obvious from your equipment or badge that you are the interpreter. However, the court personnel are often busy and not paying attention. Tell the clerk who you are and which case you are there for. If the judge knows you are there, they will often call your case first. There are also times when the case has been dismissed or continued, but the court forgot to cancel the interpreter. In those cases, they will usually let you go before the hearing even starts.
• Time Management: Practice! – If your case is not called first, this can be a blessing in disguise. It gives you the opportunity to practice mentally on all of the other cases. Interpret what you hear in your head, look up any unfamiliar terms or phrases, add to your glossary.
• Addressing the Judge – When you need to clarify a term, ask for a repetition or make any other official request, make sure you always refer to yourself in the third person and when appropriate, give a reason. Instead of “Your Honor, this is the interpreter, I can’t hear the attorneys. Could they speak louder please?” do this, “Your Honor, for the sake of accuracy, the interpreter asks that counsel speak up and into the microphone.”  This shows the judge and the parties that you know what you are doing and you are the expert.  
• No Chatting – Unless you are introducing yourself or setting up the equipment, don’t talk to the LEP. Small talk, although it may be innocent, could give the appearance of partiality and will also encourage them to seek advice from you or depend on you as an advocate. I do realize that this is quite different for medical and community interpreters where polite conversation is appropriate before the session because you do often act as a cultural advocate for the LEP. However, once the session starts, it should be the same for all types of interpreting: no side conversations! The same goes for talking to other people. Unless necessary, there should be no conversations while court is in session. It is extremely disruptive.

For some of you, these tips and tricks might be old news, but I do hope that they are helpful to many of you. What did I miss? What advice can you offer?