News

The Wisconsin Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for Spring court interpreter training to be held over two consecutive weekends on April 10 and 11, and April 17 and 18. This virtual interpreter training is offered to those who want to explore work as an interpreter for the Wisconsin court system. A similar virtual training was successfully offered in September of 2020 using Zoom technology.

The faculty includes circuit court judges, the deputy director for court operations, the Wisconsin court interpreter program manager and certified court interpreters. A $150 fee covers all sessions and training materials. The first day of training will cover legal topics, such as the Wisconsin court system and legal terminology in criminal and civil court. The second day will emphasize ethical issues, with a detailed presentation of the Code of Ethics for court interpreters, followed by small group practice. During the second weekend of training, participants will concentrate on their interpretation skills, starting with a lecture on interpretation basics, followed by practices in small groups led by certified court interpreters.

The application deadline is March 27, 2021. To participate, attendees are required to have a computer or tablet, internet access, and the free Zoom application downloaded on their device.

Even though Spanish continues to be the most requested language in Wisconsin courts, interpreters of languages such as Arabic, Burmese, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Hmong, Karen, Somali, Rohingya, and Vietnamese are encouraged to apply. The courts use interpreters in more than 50 different languages each year, including sign language. Scholarships are potentially available for participants with certain non-Spanish language skills.

Individuals who are already interpreting in a legal or administrative hearing setting and other fields, such as healthcare and education, are encouraged to apply. Participants who complete orientation, achieve minimal testing levels, and meet other requirements will be placed on a public roster of interpreters used by courts, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and law-related agencies.

This training is part of the Director of State Courts Office Interpreter Program, which aims to improve language access in the courts. For more information on these training sessions, and to register, visit the court system website at http://www.wicourts.gov/services/interpreter/orientation.htm

Contact:
Alexandra Wirth
Office of Court Operations
(608) 266-8635