Legal Interpreting
SC:L Performance Prep
with Anna Witter-Merithew
March 21-22, 2009
St. Catherine University
St. Paul, MN
This is a two-day, 14-hour training to focus on preparing for the performance examinations for the SC: L certification. Participants will review the recommended reading material, discuss test criteria, explore test-taking strategies, and take practice skill development activities designed to target the performance exam skills—including, lines of questioning, translation and interpretation of the Miranda Warning, being qualified on the stand and interpreting for a deaf interpreter being qualified on the stand, and interpreting expert testimony and jury instructions.
Educational Objectives
- Describe the elements of the SC:L examination process
- Provide documentation of eligibility to take the SC:L examination
- Discuss the recommended resource materials for preparing for the SC:L
- Discuss and apply consideration of the factors impacting an accurate translation and interpretation of the Miranda Warning
- Discuss and apply consideration of the factors impacting an accurate interpretations of various jury instructions
- Discuss and apply consideration of the factors impacting an accurate interpretations of expert witness testimony in both a civil and criminal proceedings
- Respond professionally and ethically to a series of questions related to qualifying of a court interpreter
Who Should Attend?
Minnesota interpreters who have taken and passed the SC:L written test and are planning to take the SC:L Performance test by June 2009. If workshop is not filled by participants who have passed the written exam, those who have not passed the written exam will be permitted to register. Fifteen spaces are available.
About Anna Witter-Merithew
Anna is the Assistant Director for the DO IT Center. She has thirty-six years of experience in the field of interpreting as both a practitioner and educator. In her current capacity, she is responsible for the instructional programs of the Center. Anna earned her Masters degree in Education from Athabasca University in the area of instructional design and technology. She holds the St Kate's, SC: Legal, OIC:C, SC: Performing Arts and the CI and CT certificates awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Anna is also a co-founder of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT), a professional association of interpreter teachers, and served two terms as Vice-President between 1996-2000. Between 1983 and 1989, Anna had the privilege of serving as the Vice-President (2 terms) and President (1 term) of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Click here to download a printable flyer!
Click here to download the registration form!
Supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.
The Villan Still Pursues Me: Legal Interpreting as a Specialization
with Anna Witter-Merithew
6 p.m. March 20, 2009
St. Catherine University
Mendel 106
St. Paul, MN
| In literature, theater and film the villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters.
In this presentation, the notion of a villain will serve as metaphor for the injustice and ignorance which impacts Deaf individuals seeking access to the legal system. Sometimes the injustice and ignorance are the result of system-based practices, customs and traditions. Sometimes the injustice and ignorance are attributable to individuals within the system who have insufficient knowledge and information. In many instances the opportunity for overcoming injustice and ignorance exist and interpreters are one important contribution to the process.
Through a series of personal anecdotes and case review, the need for, value and contribution of interpreters working in the legal system will be explored towards the goal of inspiring interpreter practitioners to consider legal interpreting as an area of specialization.
Light refreshments will be served. |
Who should attend? This event is open to the community. All interpreters and Deaf community members are encouraged to attend. (Interpreters please note that
we are not offering RID CEUs for this event.)
Where? Mendel Hall 106 on St. Catherine University St. Paul campus
Cost: Free!
Language: The presentation will be in English with ASL interpretation provided.
Parking: After 5 p.m. you may park on campus without a parking permit.
How to sign up: This is an open event, although the room will only hold about 100 people. We encourage you to sign up on Facebook to let us know you are coming!
Suggestions for Skill Development
- Attend a court hearing in your county or district. Most court hearings are open to the public, but call your county or district court information office to learn more. By attending actual court hearings, you can learn about the processes and language used in the courtroom. You can also watch televised court proceedings on CourtTV, but be aware that often these high-profile cases are not the norm.
- Get practice with the By the Book CD. Use this CD to practice interpreting an intake at a county jail. This resource shows you what you might encounter in that setting, and provides samples of documents that may require sight translation.
- Visit the RID website. Refer to the reference materials suggested as study aids by RID. Two resources suggested on the RID website include Interpreting in the American Legal System and Interpreting the Miranda Warnings. Go directly to the Sign Media online ordering page for these materials. Consider setting up a study group with other interpreters to share the cost of materials.
- Suggested reading. For practical guidance and insight on the challenges of interpreting in legal settings, Sign Language Interpreters in Court: Understanding Best Practices by Carla Mathers are helpful. Visit AuthorHouse.com to order Ms. Mathers' book.
- Visit the DO-IT Center website. The DO-IT Center offers the distance program Interpreting in the American Legal System. In addition to this program, residents of states served by the MARIE Center are eligible to borrow materials from their lending library.
- Visit the Minnesota State Law Library. Visit the library's listing of interpreter resources. You can borrow resources from the library if you leave a check as a deposit, which will be returned to you when you return the item(s). The Minnesota Law Library is located in the Minnesota Judicial Center across the street from the State Capitol.
You can also go to your local county library and ask for an interlibrary loan. The MInnesota Law Library will send materials to your library for you to check out with your library card. No deposit is necessary.
If you do not live in the state of Minnesota, you may find the link helpful in requesting items from your local state court and library system.