Certified Swahili court Interpreter
Understanding the Distinction: Certified Swahili Court Interpreter vs. Registered Swahili Court Interpreter
Certified vs. Registered Interpreter in General
In the broader context, being certified implies official recognition of possessing specific qualifications or meeting certain standards. This holds true for court interpreters as well. California’s court system has three categories of interpreters: certified interpreters, registered interpreters, and provisionally qualified interpreters.
Being a Certified Swahili Court Interpreter in California
Certified interpreters in California have successfully passed the Bilingual Interpreter Exam or the required exam for American Sign Language. In addition, they have fulfilled the corresponding Judicial Council requirements. However, there is currently no certification exam specifically for Swahili court interpreters in the California court system.
Being a Registered Swahili Court Interpreter in California
For spoken languages without a state-certifying exam, such as Swahili, interpreters must pass the Written Exam and Oral Proficiency Exams in both English and their non-English language. By fulfilling the corresponding Judicial Council requirements, they become registered interpreters. Although registered Swahili court interpreters have proven their language proficiency, they still need to complete the additional step of vetting required for certification.
Similarities and Differences
Both certified and registered court interpreters undergo examinations to confirm their language skills. In addition, they receive a certificate validating their successful completion of program requirements. The key difference lies in the additional vetting required for certified interpreters. In addition, they are evaluated on their consecutive and simultaneous interpretation skills and sight translation abilities.
California Perspective and Conclusion
From a general perspective, a registered Swahili court interpreter can be considered a certified Swahili court interpreter because they possess the necessary skills and hold a certificate confirming their competence. However, in the context of the California court system, registered Swahili court interpreters do not meet all the requirements for certification. Currently, California does not offer a specific certification examination for Swahili interpreters.
In summary, while the term “certified” implies official recognition of qualifications, the California court system currently offers registration rather than certification for Swahili court interpreters. Both certified and registered interpreters undergo examination and hold certificates, but certified interpreters undergo additional vetting specific to the court’s standards.