- UPDATED: open letter to Critical Link Members: Read Here.
June 30, 2015
Published by Critical Link at June 30, 2015
Uniting our voices to continue advocating for the safety and recognition of interpreters around the world Critical Link International has joined forces with the Red T coalition. Together our united voices will continue to advocate for the safety and recognition of interpreters world wide. Translators and interpreters have been increasingly subject to unjust persecution, prosecution, and imprisonment in countries across the world. To publicize and combat this critical state of affairs, Critical Link International has joined Red T, the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), the International Federation of Translators (FIT) and the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI) […]
April 16, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 16, 2015
Court interpreters, Ellis Island, CLI 8 This issue focuses on the work of interpreters in the legal system. While there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not court interpreting belong under the purview of community interpreting, this issue of The Link does not attempt to align with either side: rather CLI seeks to build strong alliances and provide support to all interpreters. Community interpreting has always been about access to services and the preservation of human rights. The work of court interpreters is highly demanding. It necessitates a specific skill set. It is also extremely vital in the […]
April 15, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 15, 2015
The early days of interpreting at court and immigration facilities Can you imagine providing interpretation services to twelve million people, a century ago? Those were the numbers of people passing through Ellis Island in search of a better life in America. Maria Aguilar-Solano, an assistant professor at UMass in Boston, is studying the historical role of interpreters at the infamous Ellis Island, and has kindly shared a working paper presented at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Dr. Aguilar-Solano’s research shows the role of the interpreter in court and immigration proceedings in the early part of the century to be far more […]
April 14, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 14, 2015
A report on a flawed system by Paola Gentile, a Ph.D. student in Interpreting Studies at the University of Trieste Court interpreting in Italy still has a long way to go to reach the most basic European and international standards regarding professionalization. Like many Southern European countries, Italy has always been a country of emigration rather than immigration, which is why it was unprepared to cope with the record numbers of immigrants who have been arriving in the country in the last few decades. The lack of an official register, together with shamefully low remuneration also provoke an exodus of […]
April 10, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 10, 2015
Learn how you can play an active role in our online community Great news! Our Research and Resources section on our website is now active and accepting submissions. Critical Link is committed to fostering the free exchange of information and research and now you can play your part. Check out the Research/Resources tab on the website and upload your papers, conference information, collaboration, funding and training proposals. Members will now have access to the latest research and advances in our field. 6 different streams to share, search & publish Call for Papers Submit previously unpublished papers, presentations, or articles. You must have […]
April 9, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 9, 2015
Edinburgh, Scotland Critical Link’s 8th International Conference is scheduled for the last week of June, 2016. Heriot-Watt University will be hosting the event, at the Edinburgh Conference Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburgh and its surrounds are beautiful, the people are friendly and the history is fascinating. As an added bonus, Heriot-Watt is able to offer very affordable accommodation. How technology impacts our work The conference will focus on the future of our profession amidst rapid technological and global change. Interpreters of Tomorrow will discuss the impact of technology on our daily work – how it offers both solutions and challenges. […]
April 8, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 8, 2015
A peek into the high-stress world of court interpreters In a recent article in the South China Morning Post, Tsang Man-sang, a former interpreter, discusses how the stress of the job forced him to leave the sector. Tsang said the pressure on interpreters, especially in high profile criminal cases, is enormous. He recalls sleepless nights before a day of work in criminal court. Tsang says interpreters get nervous and anxious under the intense scrutiny of lawyers, judges and the media. Another challenge in criminal cases is not being able to predict what witnesses will say, and having to scramble to […]
April 8, 2015
Published by Critical Link at April 8, 2015
Why interpreters down-under are breathing a sign of relief Australian legal interpreters are breathing a sigh of relief. The Australian government has reversed a plan to slash funding for legal aid and community legal centres, which would include cuts to interpreting services. Interpreters have been fighting a perception that providing interpretation services to people who have partial English skills, such as older migrants or Indigenous people, is somehow giving them an unfair advantage in the legal system. While someone may be able to manage with day to day shopping, or banking they do not have the vocabulary and nuanced language […]
January 13, 2015
Published by Critical Link at January 13, 2015
ISO 13611:2014 Interpreting – Guidelines for Community Interpreting In November 2014, ISO published ISO 13611:2014 Interpreting – Guidelines for Community Interpreting. The first standard to directly address community interpreting, ISO 13611:2014 involved the contribution of 27 countries and many international experts working together over the course of several years. Canada was a leading figure in the development of this standard that now provides a framework that enhances the ongoing efforts of professionalization and international cooperation. “ISO 113611:2014 addresses community interpreting as a profession, not as an informal practice such as interpreting performed by friends, family members, children, or other persons who do not have […]