Training Legal Interpreters and Translators in Response to the New Directive Gertrud Hofer Zurich University of Applied Sciences Centre for Continuing Professional Education Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

2 Great expectations by legal professionals Linguistic/interpreting prerequisites Precision as to content ( translate word for word!) Completeness of interpreting Linguistic competence in 2 languages Cultural awareness Terminological expertise Specialised knowledge and vocabulary Legal prerequisites No police record No contact to criminal persons Availability Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

3 Great expectations call for qualification To guarantee a fair trial interpreters must be qualified! Qualified interpreters must be in command of all interpreting techniques Consecutive interpreting Simultaneous (Whispering) Sight translation Specialised legal knowledge Socio-cultural awareness Professional ethics Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

4 Options of training curricula B.A. Curriculum M.A. Curriculum Curriculum of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

5 B.A./M.A. programmes Advantages Widely accepted degrees University trainers Linguistic competence Pedagogical experience Guaranteed length of training (180 ECTS) Government funding European Transfer Credits Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

6 B.A./M.A. programmes: It can be done! German-speaking countries B.A. Curriculum Magdeburg-Stendal (limited range of languages) Karl-Franzen Universität (limited range of languages) M.A. Curriculum Magdeburg-Stendal (limited range of languages) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

7 B.A./M.A. programmes for legal interpreting Challenges Longterm planning Constant change of languages (due to migration fluxes) Recruitment of trainers Background of participants Admission of students with varying backgrounds Access to register of authorities/courts Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

8 Problem areas Range of languages? Constant changes at short notice? Background of participants? Background of trainers? Linguistics, interpreting, specialised (legal) knowledge? complex demands Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM «Interpretation Practices and Oral Intercultural Communication», November 20th - 21 st, 2009 – Paris Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW 9 Wide range of languages 60s 70s 80s 90s After

10 Background of participants Migrants (first generation) Bilinguals (second generation) Conference Interpreters Translators Legal Experts Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

11 Background of trainers Experienced Conference Interpreters (train the trainers) Legal Experts Language Experts (tandem: Language experts and interpreters) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

12 Continuing Professional Development: Solving some of the Problems Magdeburg-Stendal (unlimited range of languages) University of Hamburg (unlimited range of languages) Zurich University of Applied Sciences (unlimited range of languages) Co-operation with Police, Prosecution, Court: Development of training programme (2 days) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

13 Practical questions arising from Trainers -language-independent courses? -heterogeneity of participants? -design of exercises? - language competence? - bidirectional interpreting? Legal experts (Providers/Trainers) -10 golden rules for interpreters? -number of participants? -testing methods? Course participants -compatibility with practice at work? -too much theory taught by conference interpreters? -note-taking practice? -course length vs. course outcome? Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

14 Main points of discussion with legal experts Training target Training content Examinations registration Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

15 Training targets To reinforce background knowledge of law and legal procedure To improve understanding of interpreting process To further and fine-tune interpreting skills (language-independent) Interdisciplinarity (legal strand/interpreting strand) Introduction of professional standards for legal interpreters Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

16 3 levels of training programmes Basic Course Intermediate Course Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

17 CPD Curriculum Level Level 1: Basic Course Special legal knowledge introduction to criminal law and civil law Interpreting introduction to interpreting techniques consecutive interpreting (GE-GE) introduction to note-taking ethical principles professional conduct breathing and voice training Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

18 Level 1: Exam Special legal knowledge 71 questions (multiple choice) Interpreting consecutive interpreting (GE-GE), 150 words (newspaper articles with legal background) Questions on ethics, professional conduct ECTS1 (16 lessons + 16 hours of self-study + exam) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

19 Enforcing compulsory completion of Basic Course in Canton of Zurich Providers side Representatives of Police, Prosecutor and Courts: Favourable opinion on training Emanation of programme: Top-down process of growing acceptance of need of training Other Cantons: Support of training Interpreters side Reluctance on the part of «experienced» interpreters (fear of high standards of conference interpreters, aversion to theoretical parts) Interdisciplinary training framework was appreciated Overwhelming wish for registration of «new» interpreters after first training Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

20 Outcomes of Basic Course Number of interpreters reduced from 1,000 legal interpreters (2003 – 2007) to 550 Number of languages reduced from 120 to 80 Registration by Advisory Panel following examination Attainment of a minimal quality standard by means of selection Participants who fail are temporarily or permanently struck off the register Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

21 Promoting Quality management: Test after complaints Clients of police, prosecution, courts report to the legal experts Test of 1 hour Talk on a legal subject in both languages 20 minutes Consecutive interpreting (bidirectional): authentic texts (e. g. protocols, indictments, judgments) 20 minutes Sight translation (2 versions) 20 minutes: authentic texts Resultstotal17 recommended1 partly recommended 4 not recommended9 special cases3 Growing interest of clients in test Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

22 Results of cooperation Co-operation leads to higher awareness of all aspects of interpreting and translation among all the stakeholders (interpreters, trainers, legal professionals) awareness of the need for common aims trust in another institution Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

23 Level 2: Intermediate Course (60 lessons + self study) Concept: consolidation of interpreting skills with all the subcompetencies Programme for legal interpreters Interpreting consecutive interpreting GE/GE note-taking whispering interpreting sight translation ethics breathing techniques and voice training internet research techniques legal terminology Role plays with legal experts (tandem) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

24 Level 2: Oral examination Interpreting consecutive interpreting (GE/GE) 200 words sight translation 200 words (A – B) questions on ethics, professional conduct ETCS 3 (60 lessons + 30 hours self-study + admission exam for CAS) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

Level 3: Certificate Course of Advanced Studies (150 lessons + self study) Concept based on interdisciplinarity Special knowledge: Criminal Law, Civil Law, Aliens Law, Procedural Law etc. Interpreting skills (note-taking, consecutive interpreting GE/GE, whispering interpreting, sight translation, ethics, breathing techniques and voice training) Internet research techniques, written translation Oral exam interpreting (consecutive interpreting GE/GE, professional conduct, sight translation) Written exam: special knowledge, translation of a legal document (B language into A language); 70% of interpreters also translate Programme for legal interpreters 25Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

26 Module Interpreting -Consolidation of interpreting skills -Consecutive translation (note-taking technique) -Sight translation -Whispering interpreting - role plays with legal experts (tandem) Module Terminology/Research techniques -Terminology -Drawing up glossaries -Research techniques Module (Intercultural) Communication -Voice training -Conducting negotiations Module Translation Workshop -Translation Theory -Guidelines -Translation Practice (legal translation, language-specific) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

27 Introduction -Introduction to legal interpreting -Legal professions Module Specialised Knowledge -General law -Criminal law -Public law -Penal procedures law -Family law -Alien law -Public welfare law Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

28 Level 3: Oral and written examination Interpreting consecutive interpreting (GE/GE) 200 words sight translation 200 words (A – B) questions on ethics, professional conduct Specialised legal knowledge 20 questions and cases (open-ended) Written translation indictment summary penalty order judgment 200 words (B-A) ECTS15 (160 lessons hours self-study + exam) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

29 Outcomes of Intermediate Course and Certificate Course of Advanced Studies Growing interest of participants Qualifying examinations (specifically mentioned in register) Pass rates 48 % at Intermediate level (most of them practising legal interpreters) 77 % at Certificate level (international exchange of trainers) Certificate mentioned in register of Panel at High Court of Canton of Zurich Attainment of higher quality standards by means of training Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

30 Conclusions Weaknesses Wide range of languages is not covered (Somali, Tigrinya, Tamil) Bidirectional interpreting cannot be tested Heterogeneity of participants Need of samples of texts in various languages (sight translation) and (video-)taped data in as many languages as possible (interpreting practice) Strengths Professionalisation leads to Wider acknowledgement of guidelines for legal interpreters More detailed knowledge about legal interpreting as a professional activity Better understanding of the need for training programmes Better qualified interpreters even with less common languages Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

31 Contributions of and for Eulita Accreditation system of Eulita for training programmes for continuing professional development Cooperation of training institutes and associations: short courses in interpreting and/or translations for specific languages/training for trainers? Cooperation of training institutes within the network of Eulita: establishing training programmes (MAS) for legal interpreting and translation Development of e-learning units (authentic data!) Collecting/contributing teaching materials for the website of Eulita Assistance of trainers from other countries (interpreters, linguists, leegal experts) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

32 Thank you for your attention! Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW

33 CPD Curriculum Level Level 1: Basic Course Legal strand: introduction to criminal and civil law Interpreting strand: Ethical principles, professional conduct, introduction to interpreting techniques, consecutive practice (DE-DE) incl. Introduction to note-taking, breathing and voice training Basis for the interpreting strand: International literature (Colin&Morris, Driesen, Hale, Kadric, Mikkelson, Morris, Shlesinger) Eulita, Madrid, 15./ Gertrud Hofer, ZHAW