Workforce Language Services

A Newburyport, Massachusetts local paper profiled a Brazlian woman who works for the courts as an interpeter.  The article details not only her language skills and passion for travel, but her take on the important work of working as an interpreter. 

The article also highlights the complex interplay between the role of interpreter as a bridge for non-English speakers and the need to remain objective and simply transmit the ideas from one language to another:

There is no program to teach them about the law. They may get arrested because they don’t have the appropriate driver’s license. Even when they become aware, they don’t understand completely if they don’t have an interpreter. For example, they might think if they go to court, the judge can give them a driver’s license.”

 Although Dutra understands firsthand the problems that immigrants sometimes face while adapting to a new country and culture, her job requires her to remain objective.

 The job of the interpreter is to translate exactly what has been said, she explains. The interpreter is not an advocate for the victim.

 “We’re just there to convey information to both sides,” Dutra says. “We’re not an advocate at all. We can’t give the victim any moral support. That’s for the victim’s advocate. We have to remain impartial.”

To read the entire article, click here.