Interpreters work in courtrooms all over the State of Massachusetts, translating dozens of languages into English to "ensure access to justice." But now some interpreters are refusing to work alone, insisting that two are required to do the job.

Talk about extremes! In our previous blog, we reported about a lack of available interpreters for courts in the UK. Now here’s a story about ‘two’ many court interpreters working simultaneously in a U.S. court in Boston, Massachusetts.

Judge Jeffrey Locke is being hailed a hero for helping to identify what some believe is another example of government waste.

It became an issue during the trial of reputed mobster Mark Rossetti in June, when an interpreter was needed in another courtroom.

Both interpreters wanted to leave together for the other matter, bringing the trial to a grinding halt and prompting Judge Locke to lash out at the two court employees. A local TV news reporter who was inside the courtroom at the time witnessed the following exchange.

"You are both certified are you not?" asked Judge Locke.

"Yes," replied one of the interpreters.

"One is not the intern of the other?" asked Locke.

"No," said the interpreter.

"One is not being trained by the other?" asked Locke.

"No your honor," replied the interpreter. "These are the best practices and we are waiting for..."

"Alright, well the best practice means that 14 people are now going to sit up there until both of you are then available," a frustrated Locke responded. "You're needed in another courtroom for a very brief matter. I don't know that it will take two of you, but if your so called best practice requires you to travel as a couple. Go on. We're in recess."

But a frustrated and annoyed judge is apparently not the last word on the matter. According to the Office of Court Interpreter Services, "court interpreters should recommend and encourage the use of team interpreting whenever necessary, and when resources allow."

And the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators calls team interpreting "the industry standard" with one interpreter providing relief for the other every 30 minutes. The association’s website can provide further information.

By Alex Dupont
Marketing Communications Specialist
Language Translation Inc.

See Also

• Language interpretation can ensure access to justice in the United States
  Language Interpreting is the process of translating spoken words from one language into another.
• In the State of Massachusetts, two certified court interpreters are indeed better than one
  Legal interpreting requires very specialized education and training. Many states require a special license or certification in order for a person to interpret in court.
• Frustrated judge exposes government waste
  FOX Undercover was inside a Massachusetts courtroom as a frustrated judge lashed out at some court employees