Manual for Beginning Interpreters

"Praise for Manual for Beginning Interpreters: A Comprehensive Guide to Interpreting in Immigration Courts Strömmuse's approachable and direct manual assists new interpreters in preparing for real hearings in U.S. immigration courts. He makes clear that he wrote this manual-which offers realistic but fictional bilingual transcripts presenting defendants from Sonora, Mexico-because help is urgently needed: ""The beginning interpreter lacks training and study materials to start doing the complex job of interpreting in immigration courts,"" he notes. Opening with the story of a Spanish teacher whose friend invited her to interpret in immigration court, the manual both invites and forewarns readers into the reality of this high-demand but stressful job. Later sections demystify court proceedings, explaining ""master calendar hearings,"" a common, varied, and challenging situation which might sometimes involve interpreting for up to fifty people, or illuminating the processes of individual hearings. Strömmuse makes a persuasive case for the urgency of this role, noting that in most U.S. immigration courts, ""Without the presence of a bilingual lawyer or family member, no one else can correct a mistake."" He supplements clear-eyed accounts of an interpreter's role with practical tips (""Always interpret in the first person. For example: 'I am Margarita' or 'I am Ángel.') plus sample vignettes that offer opportunities to practice interpreting and demonstrate ""the rigor, seriousness and high standard"" expected of court interpreters. Abbreviated but not brief, one sample script covering direct and cross examinations comprises over half the manual's pages. As in a real proceeding, questions are posed in English, while the answers come in Spanish. An accurate representation of how attorneys organize their examinations, that hearing is organized into ""blocks."" In other ways, too, the manual simulates actual court practice, demanding that readers practice simultaneous, consecutive and sight interpreting of legal terminology. The committed bilingual reader will follow along, aided by a glossary of terms and links to court documents for study. This manual will serve the beginning interpreter almost as well as real experience. An inviting and practical introduction to the vital role of interpreter in immigration court. -BookLife Reviews"