MCS fulfills a critical need in the Washington DC area by training oral interpreters in the field of language interpretation. About 7% of Washington DC's population speaks English less than "very well" and require interpretation services to participate meaningfully in their communities. Without effective interpretation, these community members struggle with isolation and the inability to easily complete daily activities, from participating in their children's school to obtaining quality medical care.
The MCS' Community Interpreter Training (CIT) responds to this communication gap by providing bilingual members of the community professional training as community oral interpreters. Many bilingual members of the community provide interpretation services when they see a need, as a civic courtesy. The CIT offers these members the opportunity to polish their linguistic talent, bilingual competency, and concern for social justice issues related to cultural segregation and information access.
2011 Community Interpreter Training Graduation held on September 13, 2011
MCS and the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs honored the 2011 Community Interpreter Training graduates at the Etete Restaurant on September 13, 2011. The class of 20 students celebrated their accomplishment of the 70 hour training. Guests enjoyed the Ethiopian food accompanied by a presentation of the delicacies by MCS Amharic interpreter and translator Tsion Adera, CIT graduate of 2009. The training and graduates were featured in the Washington Hispanic.
   
MCS Interpreter Training Course - Length and Certification:
- 60 hours of intensive classes in community interpretation
- 40 hours of intensive classes in simultaneous interpretations
- 10 hours of required assigned internship to build learned skills under the guidance of a Master Interpreter
- Certificate of Completion for 70 hours of training in Community Consecutive Interpreting
- Certificate of Completion for 40 hours of training in Simultaneous Interpretation
MCS Interpreter Training Course - Coursework
The training on Oral Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpretation is extensive and integrates learning about cultural diversity and both verbal and non-verbal communication. The course includes:
- Techniques of Oral Interpretation
- National Code of Ethics
- Preparing for an Oral Interpretation Session
- Disclosure
- Accuracy and Completeness
- Communication Registry
- Intervention
- Clarification of Meaning
- Closing an Oral Interpretation Session
- Reporting and Skills Development
- Impact of Culture on Meaning
- Body Language and Meaning
- Types of Equipment including Portable Equipment and the Interpreter's Booth
Participants of the training engage in role-playing scenarios and small group exercises and examine case studies during class time.
To apply for the Community Interpreter Training contact rcarrillo@mcsdc.org or LSPcoordinator@mcsdc.org.
View this fact sheet describing the recently completed May-June 2011 CIT Training.
Interested in Community Interpreter Training? Read about the May-June 2011 Course
In June of 2011, a new class of Community Interpreters completed the 60 hour classroom training. In the following months, students will be busy completing their ten hour practicum where they observe master interpreters at work. In Phases II and III of the practicum, they will put their skills to the test as they begin providing interpretation services under the guidance of highly polished MCS interpreters.
For four weeks, 20 students met in the evenings at the Reeves Center on 14th and U street, NW in a space hosted by the DC Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs. The ages and backgrounds of the students ranged from college graduates to retired college professors. Of the 20 students, 19 were from different Spanish speaking countries including Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Peru. One student was from Ethiopia and speaks Amharic.
As in the past, the classroom portion of the CIT training was provided by select instructors who brought their professional experience and perspective to the classroom. The following is an overview of the curriculum:
Introduction to Community Interpreting and Code of Ethics
Through role playing, students learned about the importance of respecting the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for the Community Interpreting sector. Trainers shared their personal experiences about interpreting between clients and providers, which demonstrated the diverse experiences community interpreters may face.
The students were given the opportunity to practice how they would handle potentially tough situations, where mediation may be necessary. For example, an interpreter may be required to assert themeselves and become an advocate if a client and a doctor do not understand each other because of a cultural barrier.
Lastly, the students were provided with an understanding of the unique customs and practices of the various settings where interpretation may be needed, such as places of education, health care, and other social services.
Introduction to Legal Interpretation Training
Community interpreting is a broad field that encompasses "legal interpreting", which takes place outside of the courtroom with a lawyer and a client. As a result of increased requests for community legal interpreting services this year, MCS increased its focus on courtroom ethics. Legal interpretation takes place typically in a courtroom setting and has the strictest code of ethics of all interpretation fields, eliminating room for advocacy on the part of the interpreter. While community legal interpreting occurs in a non-courtroom setting, interpreters must follow a similar set of ethics as that of legal interpreters.
Diversity Training/Communication Skills
Students reflected on how their identities could and will affect their ability to perform as unbiased interpreters. The trainer described the rich social history of Washington, DC. An important responsibility of community interpreters is awareness of their own cultural bias in order to consciously maintain a neutral relationship with all the involved parties. Students reflected on their own knowledge and interactions with members of the various cultures represented in DC.
Note Taking for Interpretation
During this portion of the training, students learned about the importance of note taking in the consecutive and simultaneous modes of interpretation. Students were shown samples of note taking techniques for quickly writing down information such as dates, times, and names while interpreting. The presenter encouraged students to create symbols and methods for themselves to write shortened notes of what is being said to ensure accurate and complete interpretation.
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