Interpreters & Interrupters

This episode addresses the complexities and surprises faced by interpreters in their daily work, revealing that even simple words can pose challenges. 

The recent political changes in the United States, including the new executive order designating English as the official language, raises concerns about the future of interpreters, particularly the removal of ASL interpreters from White House briefings. 

The episode also offers professional advice on making a good first impression through appropriate attire and shares relaxation tips for interpreters experiencing mental fatigue, especially for those engaged in over-the-phone interpreting.

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The Challenges and Rewards of Over-the-Phone Interpreting: Everything You Need to Know

The episode covers the history of OPI, its advantages and disadvantages, the skills required, and steps to become a telephone interpreter. Maritza provides practical advice for working conditions, handling difficult situations, and maintaining professional ethics. She also touches on the financial aspects of OPI, including compensation rates and tax responsibilities. The episode aims to provide comprehensive insights and encouragement for aspiring OPIs.

00:00 Introduction: The Most Difficult Type of Interpreting

01:06 History of Over-the-Phone Interpreting

02:30 Advantages and Disadvantages of OPI

04:37 Becoming an Over-the-Phone Interpreter

05:06 Working Conditions and Requirements

08:45 Handling Calls and Client Interactions

16:31 Self-Care and Best Practices

19:08 Conclusion and Encouragement

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Whether you're in the legal or medical fields, this episode is a must-watch for professionals new to working with interpreters, as well as for interpreters looking to understand common challenges in the workplace.

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Avoid Becoming Poor with a Zero Balance Budget.

In this episode, learn how to avoid financial struggles by adopting a zero balance budget. The video guides you step-by-step on budgeting, including understanding the difference between poverty and being poor, tracking your income and expenses, and building an emergency fund. Practical advice on reducing unnecessary spending, getting an affordable vehicle, leveraging public transportation, and saving diligently is provided. By following these tips, you can manage your finances effectively, eliminate debt, and start building wealth. Stay tuned till the end for a special bonus!

Edmunds.com
KBB.com
Ramseysolutions.com
Suzeorman.com
EveryDollar App

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Use Linguee.com for translations. 

Accusatory Instrument; Acting in Concert; Adjournment; Arraignment. This could be an arraignment on information or on an indictment. 

Arraignment on a complaint; Arrest; Arrest warrant; Assault. In the United States, we also use battery for the word assault. 

Assistant District Attorney; Assistant United States Attorney; Bail jumping; Battery; Bench Warrant; Beyond a reasonable doubt; Bond; Burglary Case; Charging Document; Citation; Complaint; Conditional Discharge; Conversion; Court Officer; A court officer can also be known as Bailiff. 

Court Surcharge; Criminal Justice Agency; Criminal Procedure Law; Criminal Record; Criminal Trespass; Declaration of Delinquency; Deem Information; Deferred Adjudication or Deferred Prosecution; Deposition; Supporting; Desk Appearance Ticket; District Attorney's Office; Drink or Driver Program; Driving While Ability Impaired; Driving While Intoxicated; Facilitation; Felony; Find Guilty; Grand Jury; Ignition Interlock Device; Indictment; Information; Infraction; Judgment of Conviction; Judicial Hearing Officer; Lineup; Magistrate's Court; Manslaughter; Misdemeanor; Mistrial.

Open Container of Alcohol; Open File Discovery; Order of Protection. An order of protection can be full order of protection, a limited order of protection, or a temporary order of protection.

Parole; Plea; Plea Bargain or Plea Agreement; Pled Guilty; Pled Not guilty; Preliminary Hearing; Pretrial Conference; Pretrial Hearing; Probable Cause; Probation; Public Consumption of Alcohol; Public Urination; Release on Own Recognizance; Solicitation; Unlawful Solicitation of Ground Transportation; Speedy Trial; Summons; Summons Part; Supervised Release; Theft of Services; Trial Victim; Trial Victim Impact Panel Program; Violation; Violation of Probation; Waiver; Warrant Expunged. 

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Host Maritza returns to the Interpreters and Interrupters podcast to apologize for her absence, thank listeners worldwide, and explain why she’s been away since her last episode in February. She shares how she received unsettling news right before interpreting for a cancer patient and discusses the challenge of suppressing emotions on the job, including a clip of an interpreter becoming emotional while interpreting for an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy’s testimony in the European Parliament. 

Maritza talks about posting more audio episodes and previews upcoming episodes.

Interpreter Gets Emotional: https://youtube.com/shorts/NvsDU-rE56A?si=0EUUtwQlj5DYBuZC

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Accusatory Instrument

Acting in Concert

Adjournment

Arraignment

Arrest

Arrest Warrant

Assault 

Assistant District Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney

Bail Jumping

Battery

Bench Warrant

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Bond

Burglary

Case

Charging Document

Citation

Complaint

Conditional Discharge

Conversion

Counsel

Court

Court Officer / Bailiff

Court Surcharge

Criminal Justice Agency

Criminal Procedure Law

Criminal Record

Criminal Trespass

Declaration of Delinquency

Deem an Information

Deferred Adjudication/Prosecution

Deposition, Supporting

Desk-Appearance Ticket

District Attorney’s Office

Drinker-Driver Program

Driving While Ability Impaired

Driving While Intoxicated

Facilitation

Felony

Find Guilty

Grand Jury

Ignition-Interlock Device

Indictment

Information

Infraction

Judgment of Conviction

Judicial Hearing Officer

Lineup

Magistrate’s Court

Manslaughter

Misdemeanor

Mistrial

Open Container Of Alcohol

Open-File Discovery

Order of Protection (Full, Limited, Temporary)

Parole

Plea

Plea Bargain/Agreement

Plead Guilty

Plead Not Guilty

Preliminary Hearing

Pretrial Conference

Pretrial Hearing

Probable Cause

Probation

Public Consumption of Alcohol

Public Urination

Release on Own Recognizance

Solicitation

Solicitation of Ground Transportation

Speedy Trial

Summons

Summons Part

Supervised Release

Theft Of Services

Trial

Victim-Impact-Panel Program

Violation

Violation of Probation

Waiver

Warrant Expunged

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5 Signs You’d Make a Great Interpreter (and 3 Signs You Might Struggle) 

Maritza and guest Elena Cruz to discuss five signs you could be an interpreter: having a split-track brain for simultaneous processing, being a professional chameleon who mirrors tone and emotion, possessing intellectual curiosity that drives constant learning, staying calm in crises and problem-solving when things go wrong, and commanding both language and culture.

They also share three signs you may not be a good fit without extra work: not liking people or lacking empathy, needing stronger English and pronunciation, and being impatient during sessions, while emphasizing these challenges can be improved with effort.

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From Language Lover to Interpreter: A Conversation with Athena Matilsky

Athena shares her journey into interpreting, which began with a love for Spanish.  Athena describes the differences between medical and court interpreting. She also emphasizes the importance of rigorous training, self-evaluation, and preparing for challenging certification exams. Athena reveals her passion for interpreting under pressure, her geeky approach to mastering interpreting skills, and the importance of community among interpreters. 

LINKS

GLENDON WORKSHOPS - https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/mcis-shop

US COURTS FED INTERPRETER CERT: https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-interpreters/federal-court-interpreter-certification-examination

UNITED NATIONS

https://www.un.org/dgacm/en/content/exams-interpreters

To work as an interpreter at the United Nations, you need a first-level university degree and proficiency in your main language, along with excellent knowledge of one or two other official UN languages. You must also pass a competitive examination that tests your interpreting skills and comprehension of the source languages.

ACEBO - https://acebo.myshopify.com/

INTERPRETRAIN - https://interpretrain.com 

The Best Note-Taking Techniques for Interpreters

PRACTICE 1 - LEGAL AND MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - There are 20 practice episodes available

Working as a UN interpreter with Gillian Curry

PHOTO: Paula Paulson as Nurse Mildred Ratched in the 2020 series Ratched

FUN FACT: Estelle Louise Fletcher who played Nurse Ratched in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) was the daughter of deaf parents. Her parents worked with the deaf/hard-of-hearing, but Fletcher and her three siblings were all of normal hearing,so they were sent in turns to live with Estelle's hearing sister in Texas for three months at a time to ensure they learned spoken English. Fletcher received an honorary degree from Gallaudet University in 1982. Reference from Wikipedia.

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Fresh insights, practical tips, and career guidance. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, we've got you covered. 

Our host, Maritza brings a wealth of experience and passion to the table. She is a legal and certified medical Spanish interpreter, linguistics enthusiast, and polyglot, who is dedicated to helping you elevate your skills and career.

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