http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/1792797,3_1_EL27_5QS_S1-090927.article
Lost in translation?
Not when Kane County court interpreter Luis Mejia is on the job
September 27, 2009
By KATIE ANDERSON kanderson1@scn1.com
Luis Mejia plays a vital role in the Kane County criminal justice system. He is a professional interpreter, sharing a load of about 700 cases a week with interpreter counterparts in the Elgin Branch Court.
Mejia's job is to translate orally what is said in the courtroom into Spanish for defendants, witnesses and victims who don't understand English. He also translates their responses back to English for the court.
The job is ironic for Mejia.
Although born in the United States, he spent his early years in Mexico. When he began grade school in the United States, Mejia only spoke Spanish, and the English language gave him trouble through middle school.
In high school, English as a Second Language classes helped Mejia become fluent, and today he works doing medical and legal interpretation for Interlate Systems Inc., a well-established interpretation/translation service in Aurora.
Mejia points out that his job is more than literal translation. His goal is to interpret the meaning of words spoken -- preserving the tone and emotion in the original language.
"I want to get the point across for the person," Mejia explains.
When he works in a courtroom setting, his job is also to interpret the process.
"Sometimes, even if your first language is English, you can't always understand the meaning of all of the legal words they use in court. I (communicate) not only words but culture. I help (non-English speakers) understand the process and not feel intimidated."
Mejia's skills benefit English speaking police officials and court personnel as well.
"(Interpreting) is a very important job because without it, people wouldn't be able to get their point across, and it would make the job more difficult for the attorneys, police and judges," Mejia said.
1. What got you interested in interpreting? It's kind of a funny story. I was looking for a job. I had to go to court (traffic court), and I saw the interpreter doing it, and I thought, "Hey, I think I could do that.
I sent in my resume with the interpreter from court as a reference.
2. Sometimes, the personnel in the court room make comments suggesting it is a "pain" when a defendant has to have a translator. How does that make you feel? When I go to work, I just take it as that, work. I don't take it personally. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people think English should be the only language and everyone in America should speak English, I don't' really feel strong about it either way.
3. Have you ever had to translate something embarrassing or funny?
Once at the Juvenile Justice Court, there was a case where I had to interpret for the parents of one of the juveniles that had tried to sexually harass a little girl, and I had to be explicit about it because the judge and the attorneys asked explicit questions about the body parts ... so that was kind of uncomfortable to interpret that. I had to prepare and think, "It's just work, nothing personal."
4. Not all Spanish speakers are from Mexico, are there Spanish-speakers from a particular country that have accents that are harder for you to understand? No, they're all Mexican. (He laughs at the stereotype).
No. There are some that don't have many years of schooling, they may speak a little different, and they are more difficult to understand -- not too difficult, but not easy.
5. Would you say your job is difficult?
No. I get to talk for a living, and people pay me!
Lost in translation?
Not when Kane County court interpreter Luis Mejia is on the job
September 27, 2009
By KATIE ANDERSON kanderson1@scn1.com
Luis Mejia plays a vital role in the Kane County criminal justice system. He is a professional interpreter, sharing a load of about 700 cases a week with interpreter counterparts in the Elgin Branch Court.
Mejia's job is to translate orally what is said in the courtroom into Spanish for defendants, witnesses and victims who don't understand English. He also translates their responses back to English for the court.
The job is ironic for Mejia.
Although born in the United States, he spent his early years in Mexico. When he began grade school in the United States, Mejia only spoke Spanish, and the English language gave him trouble through middle school.
In high school, English as a Second Language classes helped Mejia become fluent, and today he works doing medical and legal interpretation for Interlate Systems Inc., a well-established interpretation/translation service in Aurora.
Mejia points out that his job is more than literal translation. His goal is to interpret the meaning of words spoken -- preserving the tone and emotion in the original language.
"I want to get the point across for the person," Mejia explains.
When he works in a courtroom setting, his job is also to interpret the process.
"Sometimes, even if your first language is English, you can't always understand the meaning of all of the legal words they use in court. I (communicate) not only words but culture. I help (non-English speakers) understand the process and not feel intimidated."
Mejia's skills benefit English speaking police officials and court personnel as well.
"(Interpreting) is a very important job because without it, people wouldn't be able to get their point across, and it would make the job more difficult for the attorneys, police and judges," Mejia said.
1. What got you interested in interpreting? It's kind of a funny story. I was looking for a job. I had to go to court (traffic court), and I saw the interpreter doing it, and I thought, "Hey, I think I could do that.
I sent in my resume with the interpreter from court as a reference.
2. Sometimes, the personnel in the court room make comments suggesting it is a "pain" when a defendant has to have a translator. How does that make you feel? When I go to work, I just take it as that, work. I don't take it personally. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people think English should be the only language and everyone in America should speak English, I don't' really feel strong about it either way.
3. Have you ever had to translate something embarrassing or funny?
Once at the Juvenile Justice Court, there was a case where I had to interpret for the parents of one of the juveniles that had tried to sexually harass a little girl, and I had to be explicit about it because the judge and the attorneys asked explicit questions about the body parts ... so that was kind of uncomfortable to interpret that. I had to prepare and think, "It's just work, nothing personal."
4. Not all Spanish speakers are from Mexico, are there Spanish-speakers from a particular country that have accents that are harder for you to understand? No, they're all Mexican. (He laughs at the stereotype).
No. There are some that don't have many years of schooling, they may speak a little different, and they are more difficult to understand -- not too difficult, but not easy.
5. Would you say your job is difficult?
No. I get to talk for a living, and people pay me!
コメント