Aspiring court interpreters need to master Spanish legal terminology.
Spanish translators work with the written word and Spanish interpreters work with the spoken word, but both translators and interpreters aim to accurately convert the words of one language into another language. It is therefore key to have an excellent grasp of both languages, although knowing specialized terminology like medical, scientific or legal vocabulary is an advantage when seeking employment. More specifically, learning Spanish legal terminology can be important to Spanish translators and interpreters who wish to work for the government --- for example, as court interpreters --- or in the private sector such as a clerk or paralegal in a law office.
Instructions
1. Ensure that you have an advanced knowledge of both the Spanish and the English languages. It is therefore a good idea to obtain a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Spanish. However, if you can easily read Spanish and English books and newspapers and understand Spanish and English movies and television programs, then you most likely possess an advanced knowledge of Spanish and English.
2. Acquire an understanding of law and law terms in English. Though English may be your native language, almost no one is raised with knowledge of complex areas of law and legal terminology. Take a regular or distance-learning course in law at a college or university. As an alternative, read some legal textbooks --- available for purchase or from a library --- to help you learn about law and then discuss them with a local lawyer or law student.
3. Begin to memorize Spanish legal terminology by using a bilingual legal glossary as a study guide. You can purchase a bilingual legal glossary or use one of the work-in-progress legal glossaries that are freely available to the public such as the one offered by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.
4. Practice writing and speaking about legal matters in Spanish using your newly acquired Spanish legal terminology. In addition to getting some practice, this will enable you to check your knowledge in context. Feel free to use resources such as general dictionaries, legal dictionaries and bilingual legal dictionaries. Get ideas of topics from current events in the local newspaper or focus on hypothetical questions in the areas most important to you or your future employer such as real estate or criminal law. Ask or hire a Spanish-speaking lawyer to correct your mistakes and then learn from the experience.
Tags: legal terminology, Spanish English, Spanish legal terminology, bilingual legal, Spanish legal