Interpretation and Translation (English/Spanish)

An overview of the Professional Interpretation and Translation Certificate Program offered through UCR Extension. Learn about the field of professional interpretation and translation including career paths and specializations, education levels, job requirements, skill sets, and responsibilities. If you are looking to break into the field of interpretation and translation, this program is for you. Program offers approximately 200 hours of professional level instruction.

Applicants for the Professional Interpretation and Translation English↔Spanish Certificate and the Specialized Program in English↔Spanish Document Translation must successfully pass the Qualifying Admissions Exam prior to enrolling in either certificate program. Admission to the program will be based on an assessment of your language skills in English and Spanish. The exam will test your knowledge of vocabulary, reading, comprehension, spelling and grammar, as well as the ability to complete college-level coursework. Please visit our website for a list of materials you should bring on the day of your exam. Note: Graduates of the Professional Interpretation and Translation English↔Spanish Certificate Program, and/or experienced professionals working in the Interpretation and Translation field for more than two years may be given special permission from the department to be exempt from taking the admissions exam.

A general survey of criminal and civil courts and the various jurisdictions in which they operate. Explores basic legal concepts such as constitutional rights and search and seizure. Includes statutes and codes that court interpreters often encounter and discussion of related systems such as the probation departments and law enforcement agencies.

This course provides the tools necessary to begin the journey into the rewarding and in-demand profession of Legal Interpretation. Students learn essential study techniques, as well as the three basic skills of court interpreting: sight translation, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation. Class discussions cover important legal concepts surrounding the U.S. court system, including the role of the interpreter, ethics, professional profile, job market, pay scales, professional organizations, the private sector and preparation to take the state certification exam.

This course emphasizes the acquisition of appropriate Spanish to English vocabulary and translation skills used in criminal and civil court matters. Sight translation is stressed. Materials are drawn from areas that include constitutional rights, jury instructions, penal and vehicle codes, arraignments, pleas and waivers, workers' compensation, depositions and other civil proceedings. Students are required to learn glossaries.

Emphasizes consecutive interpretation as practiced in courts and adjudicatory hearings. Tapes, court transcripts and other legal documents will be used to teach the technique, and note-taking skills will be developed employing principally an adaptation of the Rozan Method. Materials include specialized glossaries.

Emphasizes simultaneous interpretation, a technique used in judicial proceedings. Shadowing, decalage and other memory retention techniques will be covered to help the student acquire the flow, register, target language grammar and vocabulary necessary for a professional level of interpreting. Lab work will be stressed.

Focuses on ethical principles and standards in the interpreting profession. Complete and accurate interpretation, impartiality, confidentiality, dress code, preparedness, conflicts of interest and the interpreters' code of professional ethics will be covered. Methods of instruction include discussion, role playing, text readings and courtroom observations.