The ability to interpret or translate from a foreign language is not the same as being bilingual.  Many untested bilingual people try to get work as interpreters without any training and without knowing the rules of legal procedure.  Your firm pays the price in inadmissible work, miscommunication and delays.

 

Know how you can tell the difference and select a qualified interpreter or translator.

 

Interview and qualify the interpreter or translator first, before you schedule them.  If you take the time to set up your criteria once, and make a list of who meets your criteria, you'll be equipped with a list of verified professional when the need arises.  If you rely on an Interpretation/Translation agency to meet your requests, review how they qualify their staff.

 

Here’s what to look for:

 

Þ Texas Department of Licensing Licensed Court Interpreter Number.

Þ Verify their status at: http://www.license.state.tx.us/LicenseSearch/

Þ  Focus on candidates who specialize in legal interpreting and translation and who cite training and membership in professional associations.  Note their training and CE’s (a BA in Spanish is not enough…)

Þ Verify their law firm references

Þ Verify their fluency in English yourself, (call them, and talk to them!).

Þ Confirm if the interpreter performs  simultaneous or consecutive

Þ Ask about their rates, payment terms, minimums and advance notice requirements.

Þ Translators will need to see  or be familiar with the document to be translated before giving you an estimate

 

 

 

 

ARE YOU BILLINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH?

 

Pump up your translation and interpreting skills and increase your value to your company!

 

 This specially designed group course includes:

· Individual aptitude assessment of each group member.

· Language skills improvement: written and spoken, terminology and phraseology.

· Professional Interpreting skills improvement: consecutive and simultaneous modes.

· Interpreting tools and resources

· Translation tools and resources

 

The course is designed to meet your  specific needs and to enhance your performance. Contact Diane dianeteichman@linquisticworld.com for details today.

 

 

Decipher the unknown quantity When you are presented with a large quantity of evidentiary documents in a foreign language; you don’t have to have it all translated just to learn the contents.  Diane can come to your office and index it all for you based on relevant specific time periods or topics you want to review.

 

The result is you decide which documents are to be translated.

 

 

Before the Bon Voyage on depositions overseas…

Legal procedures as per the rules are not common practice in many countries and they require piecing together of available services, customary work hours, and business practices to meet the requirements of the procedure.  For example a Notary is not the same profession in Mexico as it is in the United States.

 

I can help you with securing necessary services, while informing your office of on site requirements and even confirm a conference room.  We can tip you off to cultural business etiquette, foreseeable delays, what to wear and yes…even recommend restaurants.  While on the trip, upon your request; I will assist with customs and immigration at airport, assist the court reporter, videographer and experts in getting their equipment through customs.

 

Not Just Lip Service  When your non-English speaking client, needs to be contacted, I can make the telephone contact for you or with you on a conference call. This avoids any misunderstandings in appointment settings and confirmation, transportation arrangements, and confirmation of receipt of notices or correspondence. If your client is unfamiliar with legal protocol, it is advisable to confirm times, dress codes for trial or video depositions and to remind them to bring necessary documents.

 

Save Money for the BOSS!  Instead of having a deposition transcript or settlement agreement translated (written out), we can come to your office and read it to them. .  This is called Sight Translation and is a recognized procedure.

 

I provide a notarized certificate signed by the interpreter stating that said document was orally translated to said persons, verbatim and another notarized certificate in both languages which the client signs, stating that it was read to them and that they understood it.

 

 

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