Global Translation Services at the Olympic Games

The Olympics is one of the most renowned sporting events in history. Although a fierce competition between athletes at their peak, the games provide countries with a forum to set aside their differences and come together through the power of sport.  This requires superior global translation services. There are three official languages for the Olympic Games: French, English, and the language of the host country. Therefore, the Olympic translation team of professional linguists must work hard under a strict schedule to translate documents (such as menus and medical records) and signage (such as train stop signs and on-field screens) related to the Games into all of the official languages; a process which begins roughly one month before the Games begin. Despite its tediousness, this process provides the essential function of allowing the Games to run smoothly by ensuring that athletes receive the correct information in their home language.

Olympic Interpreting

In addition to the efforts of translators, interpretation services play a critical role during the games. Given the fact that the Olympic Games feature athletes from over 200 countries, interpreters are vital to bridging cultural and linguistic barriers between participants. For instance, between the various Olympic venues and the countries’ separate locker rooms, a “mixed zone” exists where participants from different countries travel to their respective venues. Working in this zone can prove difficult for even the most skilled linguist, as interpreters in this zone often help to prevent misunderstandings or confusion that can lead to scuffles between athletes (events which have occurred in the past). Additionally, Olympic interpreters provide video interpretation and conference interpreting services by interpreting press conferences, medal ceremonies, and International Olympic Committee meetings.

A Critical Shortage

In spite of the importance of Olympic interpreters, the size of the event often places strain on the supply of professional interpreters. This strain demands that the Olympic Committee find volunteer interpreters and create new solutions to help fill the void. For the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, over 80,000 volunteers are required for the event. To find potential candidates, Tokyo universities have launched a recruitment program featuring intensive language training classes and crash-courses in sports terminology for qualified students. In order to improve efficiency and compensate for staff shortages, the Olympic Committee has also created a new centralized simultaneous interpretation system for the Tokyo Games to translate all events into the three official languages for T.V. audiences around the globe.

Technological Developments

Finally, Japan plans to debut a new pocket translation device at the Games that provides simultaneous translation from Japanese to English at the touch of a button, reducing the need for interpreters at the event. Although developers are still fine-tuning the technology, the device has significantly improved the speed of Japanese to English translation, which can prove challenging due to their differences in sentence structure. Clearly, while the Tokyo Olympics presents many challenges, these new developments promise a bright future for global translation services and interpretation for the Games.

How a Government Interpreter Helps Keep the Peace in a Chaotic World

Effective communication is critical to diplomacy. However, clear communication becomes even more important to diplomatic affairs when the parties involved do not speak the same language. Enter the conference interpreting services of the U.N. Interpretation Service. Born during the 1946 Nuremberg Trials when the sheer number of Nazi war criminals required efficient legal translation services to quickly move the proceedings forward, the interpretation services of the U.N. play a critical role in the perilous realm of global affairs. In a world dominated by major nuclear powers such as the U.S. and China, translation errors can lead to misunderstandings that increase tensions. One notable error occurred during the Cold War when a line from a speech by Nikita Khrushchev was literally interpreted by Western translators as “we will bury you” rather than the more figurative “we will outlast you”. Thus, the U.N. goes to great lengths to find the best government interpreter candidates for their Interpretation Service.

Becoming a UN Government Interpreter

Becoming a U.N. government interpreter requires calm under pressure, speed, and fluency in at least three of the six official languages of the U.N. (Mandarin, French, Russian, English, Arabic and Spanish). To ensure fast and accurate translation, interpreters use a relay system to quickly transform a speaker’s remarks into each of the official languages of the U.N. Under this system, 12 interpreters in 6 booths (for each official language) work in tandem, taking breaks in 20 minute intervals due to the taxing nature of the job. For instance, if a U.N. delegate is delivering a speech in Arabic, a government interpreter fluent in Arabic will translate the speech into English or French for other interpreters who specialize in the other official languages of the U.N.  These interpreters will then transmit to the delegates on the floor. This task can prove difficult for even the most experienced translators, especially when world leaders fail to speak in one of the official languages.  During one notable meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi spoke for over an hour and a half in a Libyan dialect of Arabic, causing his personal translator to collapse from exhaustion.

Interpreter Shortages

Understandably, the U.N. Interpretation Service is highly selective when it comes to hiring new interpreters; in 2009, only 10 out of 1,800 candidates for Chinese interpretation passed the U.N. language examination. In spite of the Service’s selectivity, in recent years, the U.N. has introduced new hiring initiatives to find interpreters fluent in critical languages such as Arabic, as many long-time U.N. interpreters have reached retirement age. Currently, the U.N. Interpretation Service employs 120 interpreters out of its total staff of 460 people.  This staff also includes professional linguists, who translate documents related to U.N. activities. Clearly, the U.N. Interpretation Service provides a crucial function for humanity by demonstrating the importance of global translation services to maintaining civil international relations between countries.

What Salaries can Court Interpreter Training Lead To?

Have you ever considered if you might like to become a court interpreter? You can help individuals with limited English access justice.  You’ll also play an important part in our legal system. Court interpreter training can lead to a career path that’s exciting, impactful, and steady.  Not every job that is exciting and impactful will pay well, though—and in the end, that’s pretty vital. A job that you love, but don’t get paid enough at, is simply not sustainable in the long-run. After all, a job is just as much about paying one’s bills as it is about doing satisfying, purposeful work. Luckily, having a legal interpreter certification can be lucrative as well as rewarding! Read on for more information about the compensation for this profession and how you can become an interpreter.

Court Interpreter Training Can Lead to a Full Bank Account

Court interpreter classes can help you to start a career that pays decently, no matter what experience level is.  The average annual salaries for federal and state staff court interpreters run from $30,000 all the way up to $80,000. Of course, these numbers will vary based on how much experience somebody has, as well as the languages he or she is fluent in. A language that is in high demand or an uncommon language can yield a better rate for an interpreter.  Someone who is fresh out of court interpreter courses will obviously be paid towards the lower end of the scale at first. With less than five years of experience, it’s possible to earn an average of $40,000 a year. Some interpreters with degrees, a command of languages that are unusual or in high demand, and plenty of experience and certifications, earned as much as $90,610 per year in 2017!

What Does Court Interpreter Training Involve? 

If the financial growth potential and these salaries sound exciting to you, then here are some tips for how to secure court interpreter jobs. To begin, you’ll need to have earned a BA or BS. Unfortunately, a court will not hire you without one. The next step is to take court interpreter training. Language Connections offers a 7-week course that is fairly priced and will prepare you to succeed in the field. We also prep you for the next step: an entry exam that is administered by the trial court in each state. You can find more information about exam dates and how to register for one on the relevant state government website.

How emotional training can support a business interpreter

In general, interpreters are described as “a bridge” or “intermediary.” Due to this expectation, they must be objective and impassive in order to convey messages precisely. This is one of the most challenging parts of the job due to its intimate nature and unpredictability. A business interpreter specifically is not just subject to a corporate environment. In certain cases, a corporate interpreter and global translators working for international companies may be required to travel to foreign countries that are considered high risk due to war or political instability. For these situations, emotional training can support business interpreters as they navigate difficult situations.  They will do far better when they have the proper tools to remain calm and perform their job to the best of their abilities.

Government interpreters working in dangerous countries

For all the risk they encounter, the reward is high for interpreters in war-torn countries.  In conflict zones, interpreters can save lives! On more than one occasion, local interpreters have been responsible for saving a military unit from landmines and dangerous paths.  They can be the first to identify suspicious behavior due to the cultural familiarity. Interpreting in conflict zones is extremely stressful due to the high-risk factor.  Additionally, it can also be challenging when the message must be withheld or modified due to censorship or strict societal values.

One of the most dangerous civilian jobs is translating Arabic for the U.S. military in Iraq. Not only are these interpreters at risk because of the war-torn environment.  They are also exposed to threats because they are seen as traitors by insurgents. As a result, the U.S. military began hosting these interpreters within military bases like Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone.

Types of interpreting assignments that are high-risk for a business interpreter

Interpreting requires patience, skill and courage in any of its specialties.  Each one has its own level of risk. For example, Court Interpreters must work closely and carefully with criminals—some of whom may be violent.  They are subject to threats just like the business interpreters working in conflict zones. Medical interpreters are exposed to diseases and constant contact with people who come from all over the world.  However, they are also aware of the crucial role they play in these life-or-death scenarios. For interpreters working in high-risk situations, it is important to receive the proper preparation in order to perform adequately. After a certain point, a business interpreter can become so engaged that after working in a stressful or upsetting situation, they are unable to detach from it.  Simply witnessing the trauma of the moment can make them an active, scarred participant. Taking this into account, some employers might provide regular therapy sessions to cope with the array of different situations that might deeply affect a business interpreter on a personal level.

The Correlation Between Music and Language Training

Language service companies have developed a variety of classes and programs for language training over the years. However, few have seized upon the possibility of using music to promote language learning. Although it’s not obvious, a strong relationship exists between music and language. First and foremost, music functions in a similar structural way to a language.  Just as words can be thought of as the building blocks of a language, groups of notes combine to form phrases and, eventually, songs. Additionally, music and language both serve communicational purposes (with music’s main purpose being the conveyance of emotion). Perhaps most interestingly, music and language are processed in the same part of the brain: Broca’s area in the left hemisphere frontal lobe. This region of the brain is critical to the processing of sentences and, according to a recent study, also helps musicians understand musical phrases, as musicians tend to have more brain matter in Broca’s area as compared to those who never studied music.

Language Training in Finland

These connections suggest that music and language are strongly linked neurologically. Yet can music fuel language learning? Take the example of Finland. In this Scandinavian nation, children are exposed to music when they are infants using the Musiikkileikkikoulu method.  This method uses games to teach important musical concepts. Although Finnish children begin language training at the later age of nine, the average Finnish adult speaks a whopping three to five languages; a testament to the power of music’s ability to kick-start language learning.

Language Training in Germany

A 2011 study conducted by researchers from Justus-Liebig University also illustrates the benefits of musical training to language learning. For the study, German preschoolers were split into two groups.  One group received musical training, while the other did not. The results were astounding. The group of preschoolers who received musical training showed a significant improvement in their ability to process language, compared to the group who did not attend music lessons.  These results further demonstrate the neurological linkages between music and language training.

Drawing Conclusions

Finally, music can also help to improve vocabulary and grammar knowledge.  According to a 2010 study, researchers found that those who took music lessons before turning seven years old displayed higher vocabulary comprehension in addition to increased grammatical abilities compared to those who did not study music. Clearly, music and language are highly connected through structural similarities as well as within the brain. Perhaps this could demonstrate the potential of music to help language professionals in industries, such as professional business translation, global translation services, conference interpreting services, or even government translation services.

What languages are in high demand for legal and court interpreter jobs?

Across the country, the job outlook for interpreters and translators will see an 18% increase over the next 5 years.  This is largely because there is a diverse population that requires legal representation and the immigrant presence in the US is only increasing.  In fact, court interpreter jobs are so abundant that many untrained professionals are being hired for niche or rare languages, like indigenous languages from Mexico. To become a court interpreter it’s important to have a strong command of English and the target language, as well as a strong understanding of the US legal system and legal terminology.  The high barrier that this expertise, often referred to as “legalese,” poses, explains why some states have a large concentration of speakers of certain language groups and yet still has a shortage of court interpreters for that group. Legal interpreter training is necessary to acquire a legal interpreter certification or a court interpreter certification. Additionally, each state has its own requirements and certification process. For example, a court interpreter in Massachusetts would need a state court interpreter certification to work.  It’s also recommended that they specialize in any of following language pairs: Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Haitian Creole (since they are in high demand). These language groups are predominant in the East Coast and the need for competent legal interpreters and translators who have mastered them is growing consistently.

Languages and Court Interpreter Jobs by State

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top states with court interpreter jobs are California, Virginia, New York, Texas and Arizona. Although, there are three main languages that are generally in demand­- Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese- different language groups are growing in each state. For starters, In California and Virginia, there is a growing need for Tagalog and Korean for court interpreters. On the other hand, in Texas, the court interpreter jobs are now seeing an ever-increasing demand for Punjabi, Tagalog and Simplified Chinese. Similarly, in New York, court interpreters are required for Punjabi, Urdu and Bengali. Additionally, there has been an increase in the indigenous languages of Mexico and Central America like Quiche, Mam, Nahuatl, Tlapaneco, and Mixteco.  Considering the fact that most people who speak these languages cannot interpret directly into English, they must resort to relay interpreting: first to Spanish, then English. In Arizona, due to the large population of refugees that have been sent over the past 20 years, the top languages for court interpreter jobs are Arabic for Iraqi, Somali and the Sudanese populations, as well as Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian from Bosnia.  The largest group in Arizona is roughly 10,507 Vietnamese refugees.

Language Demand and Immigration Patterns

Some groups are more predominant in specific areas due to historical immigration trends. In Massachusetts, the largest population of Portuguese Americans is on the East Coast, since they originally settled in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. New York and Chicago hold the largest population of Indians in the US. As of 2013, the largest immigrant populations are from India or China, supplanting Mexico as the top source of newly arriving immigrants. This has a direct effect on court interpreter jobs, considering the “top languages” will be constantly shifting depending on immigrant concentration and education.

Consecutive Interpreting services for children

For any consecutive interpreter, fast-paced environments are a daily encounter. Working in courts, hospitals, or community settings, the interpreter gains important skills, becoming increasingly resourceful in times of stress. Their training prepares them for many future settings. Nevertheless, a consecutive interpreter should also can slow down in order to break down difficult concepts for certain patients. One example is when interpreters are hired to translate for children. Certainly, every professional uses a lower register when speaking to a child. However, the challenge lies in expressing the ideas of a child. Especially in healthcare settings, it’s important for the interpreter to grasp the whole message in the sense it was expressed.

Some of the main factors affecting a professional’s understanding of what a child says can be physical, like a speech impediment or a craniofacial abnormality. On the other hand, it may be due to an array of behavioral or psychological factors such as: crankiness, willingness to talk, mumbling, emotions, or trauma. Comparatively speaking, conference interpreting might seem like a walk in the park. Children are fickle and may not have the tools to verbally explain what they are feeling, not to mention that they’re likely to feel confused or even overwhelmed when relying on consecutive interpreting services. Considering all of this, one of the most important characteristics for any interpreter is the ability to remain calm, empathetic and understanding.

When working with children, language service companies must assign a company interpreter that has experience providing consecutive interpreting services for children since there are different techniques. These include:

1. When communicating with a child in the 2nd person, the interpreter should use the informal pronoun rather than the formal. For example, in Spanish a child would be addressed as “tú” vs the formal “usted” used for adults

2. Normally, consecutive interpreting services require the interpreter to render the message in 1st person. However, saying “I” to another person is an abstraction for most children. For this reason, it is recommended that the interpreter use the 3^rd person in healthcare translation for the child to clearly understand who has said what.

3. Lastly, when working with children, the only option is to provide consecutive interpreting for life sciences translation. It is highly unlikely that a child can handle listening to two people talk at the same time. Oftentimes, it can be confusing for the child and it may cause them to become agitated.

3 Top Reasons to Choose a Community Interpreter Job

Are you bilingual and looking for a new career path? A community interpreter job could be a fun and exciting job to consider. This kind of work is fast-paced and very rewarding. A community interpreter helps facilitate communication in community-based settings, such as education, housing, social services and more. You’ll be able to help break down language barriers to ensure proper access to vital community services. Read on for the top 3 reasons to discover a community interpreter job as your next career move!

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB HAS A BRIGHT FINANCIAL FUTURE

When you invest in a community interpreter course, you’re making an investment in a bright career for yourself. The projected growth rate for interpreter jobs from 2016-26 is an impressive 18%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means you can be sure there will be some financial stability ahead on your career path. The median wage of a community interpreter job was $49,930 in 2018 and the top 10% of workers in the field earned more than $90,610.  Depending on where you live in the country, some of these numbers would allow you to maintain a very stable and comfortable lifestyle.

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MINORITY AND/OR IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS

More than 20 percent of the U.S. population now speaks a language other than English at home, according to the latest United States Census Bureau American Community Survey. Community interpreting has an immense impact on communities with big immigrant and/or minority populations. Many individuals feel most comfortable communicating in their mother tongue, even if they know some English. Community interpreters may work at city offices, schools, or town hall meetings. Your work in public service interpreting will directly affect immigrant and minority access to public services that have the potential to change or enrich lives.

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB IS INTERESTING AND DYNAMIC

In a community interpreter job, you will never be stuck in the same old boring environment or routine. You’ll certainly never feel that you are chained to a desk, as many workers today do. Each day will bring new challenges as you tackle different events and travel to various locations. This is an exciting career path, especially for those who just don’t feel that a typical office job would suit them!

Language Connections offers an array of interpreter courses to jump-start your career or to expand your repertoire. Our Business and Community Interpreter Certificate Training Program will prepare you to become an adept interpreter in a host of different professional fields. Interpreter classes will prepare you for an exciting and rewarding future, so contact us today to learn more!

Medical Interpreter’s Code of Ethics. Why is it important?

Have you ever considered enrolling in a medical interpreter training program? There is tremendous responsibility in performing this kind of work. There are so many duties beyond simply conveying an accurate translation from the source language to target language. Medical interpreter training includes learning the code of ethics, of which there are a few different iterations.  However, the three core values remain the same: beneficence, fidelity, and respect for importance of cultures and cultural differences. Language Connections provides exceptional training when you want to earn a Medical Interpreting Certificate. Read on to understand why the Medical Interpreter Code of Ethics is so important.

Medical interpreter training supports interpreters

Interpreters are equally protected when the code of ethics is followed. It is easier for professional interpreters to succeed and meet expectations in their role when there are clear rules to follow. There are far less chances for mistakes, accidents or inadvertent interference with medical training to happen with a code of ethics in place. Impartiality is critical for both the patient and provider. Once an interpreter obtains a medical interpretation certification, ethics dictate that one must participate in continuing education to keep their skills as up to date as possible.

About Language Connections:

Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com

3 Top Reasons to Choose a Medical Interpreter Job

In the United States, there is a considerable population of non-native English speakers. To protect them, every healthcare provider (including hospitals) is obligated by law to provide language access services for their non-English speaking patients. Medical interpreters can break down language barriers in the medical industry by using their linguistic prowess to provide interpreting services to medical providers and patients. It is undeniable that a medical interpreter job comes with a lot of responsibilities. However, it can also be a superb career choice.  Here are 3 reasons why you might want to get a certification for medical interpreters.

What are the benefits of choosing a medical interpreter job?

1. A medical interpreter job can make for a fascinating day-to-day life

Besides all the responsibilities and duties that this occupation requires, it’s also an exciting job to wake up for each morning.  If you become an interpreter, it is inevitable that you will constantly have new experiences and learn new things. Not a single day will be the same as the previous one. Flexible scheduling can be another great perk of the profession. By obtaining a medical interpreter certificate, you can organize your working and free time as you see fit. This job never requires you to be chained to a desk for 8 consecutive hours. If you pursue a career as a medical interpreter, your office becomes the entire medical facility or doctor’s office you work in!  Additionally, with a medical interpreter certification, you could possibly travel around the world and experience new cultures.

2. It has a financial future

Those who have a medical interpretation certificate are in immense demand professionally.  They’re deeply valued by their employers and the patients they serve. This leads to satisfying remuneration and financial stability. According to the US Bureau of Statistics, as of May 2018, the average annual wage of an interpreter was $49,930.  That’s projected to grow another 18% from 2016 to 2026.  This is higher than the average growth rate of 7% for all the other occupations.

3. A medical interpreter job can be tremendously fulfilling

A trip to the hospital can be very stressful for everyone, but especially for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) individuals. Ineffective communication between the doctor and patient means that the patient’s life is on the line. There is a higher possibility of a wrong diagnosis or ineffective treatment. One of the most rewarding aspects of a medical interpreter’s job is the fact that they can prevent these important issues!