Thoughts on "Telegraph News - Old Bailey judge retiring after 20 years condemns burden foreign criminals are placing on state"

“I sometimes ask how long have you been in this country and sometimes they say 20 years and I am amazed they have not learnt better English,” 

I'd say, too bad but that's the true reality. 

I've interpreted for a Japanese national who had lived in the UK for over 30 years and been married to a British with children, and still didn't understand what 'arrested' meant!!

I've always felt the necessity to ensure the person isn't compromised because of their limited English in court, and that's why I have been taking on court assignments despite the fact it pays me peanuts, absolute peanuts...and some people misunderstand that I could only get such a *menial* interpreting jobs that I was having to accept court interpreting !!! 

Wrong: Most of my works come from elsewhere and pays far far better. 

And wrong again: Court interpreting is never to be underestimated; it can be tricky and requires different skills & knowledge and more commitment than other type of interpreting assignments in some way. 

Now, WHY DO I STILL DO IT you might ask? 

That's because SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT and the 'someone' cannot be 'anyone.'

It is not something anyone cannot do it. 

'Any interpreter' will - not - do either. 

It is about people's lives after all. 

The interpreters need to have understood how serious their responsibility is. 

As to wages, whoever is raking in (of course it bothers me as it undermines our work and integrity) but keeping it aside, for now - I was only paid a few tens of pounds per assignment and there were times I ended up in negative figures after subtracting costs (transport) from wages. However, I still did it. 

It is fraction of wages if you compare to other jobs. Nevertheless, I have taken these assignments on, why, in order to make sure the language was available for the individuals, be it for a witness or a defendant, and also in the hope to make or see some changes in the system. 

This kind of ignorant remark from highly experienced legal professionals show how little it is understood. 

I find such remarks - after working with many interpreters at court - discouraging that it makes us feel stupid, and it feels as if our commitment and dedication spoilt. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/07/old-bailey-judge-retiring-after-20-years-condemns-burden-foreign/

photos: https://languageassociatesblog.net/2015/01/16/new-law-for-oklahoma-courtroom-interpreters/