Recently in Consecutive Interpreters, Consecutive Translation/ Interpreting, Consecutive Telephone Interpreters Category
Corporate Translation, Legal Translation Services for Corporate Litigation Lawyers, and International Arbitration
Professional translation services play an important role in arbitration. Nearly every industrialized nation has an International Arbitration Act on their books. Although every nation's Act is unique, all are similar in purpose - to facilitate the mediation and arbitration of international commercial disputes. Further, all states who have International Arbitration Acts agree to specific formalities as part of the International Arbitration Convention.
Medical Translations, Professional Foreign Language Interpreting Services Prevent Medical Malpractice
A very common occurrence in a hospital setting, particularly an emergency room, is the arrival of a non-English speaking patient. In such a situation the physician often struggles with trying to understand the symptoms and make a correct diagnosis. This becomes an issue when the patient can only communicate in a foreign language and no qualified foreign language interpreter is available. In the worst-case scenario, it becomes a medical malpractice problem.
Medical Interpretation, Medical Interpreter Services, Foreign Language Barriers and Informed Consent
Foreign language barriers, which are easily overcome with the help of competent medical interpreters, can cause various problems when they are ignored in a medical setting. According to medical malpractice theory, a physician may be held liable if his inability to adequately communicate with a patient prevents him from obtaining proper informed consent. This line of legal liability stretches from the Quintero v. Encarnacion case. In this case, the patient was only able to communicate using a few Spanish words.
Deposition Translators, Deposition Interpreters, and Preparing for a Foreign Language Deposition
When it comes to depositions or Examinations Before Trial (EBTs) involving non-English-speaking witnesses, the last thing an attorney wants is surprises - especially from their client. This is why preparing your client and all other individuals involved in the deposition is essential. Nowhere is this truer than when dealing with a foreign language speaking witness, who requires services of a deposition interpreter, in the context of a cross-cultural deposition.
When preparing for a foreign language deposition, keep these tips in mind:
Language Translation and Court Interpreting Issues- Standards of Review when Challenging Ability to Communicate with Court
A non-English-speaking defendant's inability to communicate with the court can lead to an appeal related to foreign language translation and court interpreting issues. As the majority of jurisdictions mandate that a foreign language speaker be able to use a foreign language court interpreter in order to communicate with - and understand - the court, an appeal will be based on some issue related to the lack of or adequacy of the foreign language translation.
Foreign Language Translators & Interpreters, and Competent Representation of Non-English-Speaking Clients
Earlier we've blogged about the ethical challenges for bilingual attorneys who attempt to provide translation and interpretation services to their foreign-born clients. Numerous ethical questions may arise in the opposite situation as well, when an English-speaking attorney, who doesn't speak the client's language, represents a non-English-speaking client.
Translators & Interpreters for Attorneys & Litigation, & Standard of Review for Appealing Foreign Language Translation Errors
Bringing an appeal on the grounds of an erroneous foreign language live courtroom translation, or foreign language interpreting in court, is a difficult standard to satisfy. First, just as with any argument for appeal, the appealing party must show that the error was in fact controlling as to the final decision, and not merely a trivial error.
Medical Foreign Language Translation, Medical Interpreting and Legal Malpractice: A Case Example
Bilingual attorneys are often tempted to provide foreign language translation and even courtroom translation and interpreting services for their non-English-speaking clients. But is it prudent? The following facts apply to this case example:
Foreign Language Certified Translation, Foreign Language Depositions, and Multilingual Discovery Tips
When dealing with a foreign party during transnational litigation, the discovery and deposition process is often more tedious than it is when dealt with domestically. When conducting multilingual foreign language discovery and cross-cultural depositions requiring professional foreign language translation and interpreting services, keep these tips in mind:
Witness Interview Translators, Deposition Interpretation & Translation Services in a Foreign Deposition in U.S. Federal Cases
During a U.S. federal case, an attorney will often be required to take a deposition in a foreign country. Such foreign depositions, or cross-cultural depositions, if you will, often involve non-English-speaking witnesses and require services of professional foreign language court interpreters, fluent in the deponents' languages.
Author of "Translation for Lawyers" Legal Translation Blog Quoted in ABA Journal's Article on Remote Foreign Language Interpreting Services
Remote foreign language interpretation services, i.e. services provided by a foreign language interpreter who is not on-site, and, therefore, not in the presence of the speaker, have been around for a long time. Such live, real-time foreign language interpreting services are occasionally referred to as "telephone interpreting", "telephonic interpreting", and even "video interpreting". "Remote courtroom interpretation services, on the other hand, are still novel for many jurisdictions.
Nina has recently been quoted in the ABA Journal's article "Translation Station", which talks about a special telephone technology that allows foreign language interpreters to work remotely and interpret court proceedings in real time.
Court Interpreters and Translators in Debriefings, Proffer Sessions, and Judicial Proceedings Instituted by the United States
The Court Interpreter's Act states that a qualified interpreter shall be provided at "judicial proceeding instituted by the United States." The statute refers to all proceedings, whether criminal or civil, including pretrial and grand jury proceedings (as well as proceedings upon a petition for a writ of habeas corpus initiated in the name of the United States by a relator) conducted in, or pursuant to the lawful authority and jurisdiction of a United States district court. (28 U.S.C. § 1827(j)).

Russian Interpreter’s Poor Interpretation Causes a Halted Trial: Why Attorneys Must Learn to Differentiate Between Competent Court Interpreters and Unqualified Individuals
Attorneys love to tell stories about a long-winded verbal exchange between the non-English-speaking witness and the interpreter, or the non-English-speaking defendant and the interpreter, which always ends with the interpreter solemnly declaring "Yes", while failing to inform the English-speaking lawyers of the remaining portion of his or her communication in that foreign language.
What many lawyers don't realize, through, is that they have just met an unqualified person, who, irrespective of his/ her fluency in English and in the given foreign language, is not ready to serve as an interpreter in a legal setting.
Language Interpreter Accused of Giving Legal Advice to Spanish-Speaking Defendants: What Attorneys Must Know About Court Interpreters
Today, many attorneys and even judges continue to be unaware of the professional responsibilities of the foreign language court interpreters. Without such awareness, courts will continue to rely on ad hoc interpreters, or on unqualified bilingual persons who are not familiar with the role of the court interpreter. Don’t let sub-par court interpretation by well-meaning amateur interpreters ruin your case! Learn everything you can about the role of professional court interpreters.