What opportunities are there in the field of interpretation?
This is a complex question that merits a substantial conversation to fully address. In short, as the limited-English-proficient (LEP) population has grown in the United States, so has the need for trained professionals proficient in more than one language. In both the public and private sectors, bilinguals with training in interpretation are increasingly sought after. However, not all organizations dedicate equal resources to language service or are equally aware of their responsibilities (http://www.lep.gov/) to LEP populations. Therefore, the opportunities available largely depend on the ambitions and abilities of the individual.

What type of credentials do I need to interpret?
Again, this will depend on the setting as well as the language you speak. Many government agencies, such as the State Department, have their own hiring criteria and testing systems. The federal court system certifies Spanish/English interpreters through a testing process (http://www.cps.ca.gov/fcice-spanish/) and has other criteria for other languages. State court systems vary, but many states belong to the National Consortium of State Courts (http://www.ncsconline.org/D_Research/CourtInterp.html), which certifies interpreters in multiple languages. This page also has links to many other state court interpreter webpages. There are also professional organizations such as NAJIT (http://www.najit.org/) and ATA (http://www.atanet.org/) that have certification examinations. Most other agencies, such as hospitals, school districts, etc. have no set requirements. Therefore, any type of recognized credential or participation in a well-known training program is beneficial.

Do I have the skills to be an interpreter?
Career interpreters tend to be people in love with language. Mastering new vocabulary or idiomatic phrases, a requirement in the field, is considered a pleasure by most. If you feel this way about the languages you speak, then this is a good indication that you may enjoy the challenge of becoming a qualified interpreter.

The fundamental requirement for any qualified interpreter is that their language skills are adequately developed to ensure their full understanding of the exchanges around them. Many excellent interpreters acquired their second language in school without the full benefit of a truly bilingual environment; however, a substantial dedication to expanding your language skills, regardless of how you acquired them, is a necessity. While the level of required language will vary by setting, the certification examination for English/Spanish federal interpreters demands a 14th grade knowledge of both languages. This level of expertise will not be needed in some other areas, but it is a goal to pursue.

Here are some ways to assess your level of language development and, perhaps more importantly, whether you might enjoy interpreting:

What type of training is right for me?
In general, the field of interpretation is fairly young. Because of this, there has traditionally not been enough professional training to meet the needs of students. Source Language Solutions is dedicated to providing quality instruction in as many locations as possible to develop new interpreters and assist working interpreters with maintaining their credentials and acquiring new certification.

As an interpreter, professional instruction is essential to ensure that you have the ability to accurately interpret and not put any of your clients at risk. However, you must also be sure that the training program you select is suitable for your level of language and is aimed at preparing you to meet your goals. We do not recommend registering for a course that is either targeted for those with more experience (you might get overwhelmed or discouraged and if your instructor spends too much time with you, others will resent it) or a course for the less experienced (you may get bored or intimidate novices). Rather, we suggest finding a course that is aimed at your level of development and fits the goals you have laid out for yourself.

Because of the recent awareness of the need for qualified interpreters, new training opportunities are fast evolving in many locations. Factors to consider before registering:

What about interpreting in languages other than Spanish?
Currently, most training and certification opportunities exist primarily for English/Spanish interpretation. However, Source Language Solutions will begin developing offerings in other languages in 2004 in an effort to meet the tremendous demand for these services. Please make sure you are on our mailing list so that, when programs are developed, you are immediately informed.

What about interpreting for the deaf and hard of hearing?
Interpreter training and certification for the deaf and hard of hearing is more established in many areas than similar services for other languages. SLS does not provide any training and materials for this area at this time, but those interested should access the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at http://www.rid.org .