General Program Description
The Legal Interpretation and Translation program offers a Legal Interpretation – Basic certificate (English/Spanish) and a Legal Interpretation and Translation – Intermediate certificate (English/Spanish). The program is designed for students desiring careers as interpreters and/or translators in the legal field, with employment opportunities in government offices, the court system, as well as private and public offices.
The program places emphasis on English/Spanish legal terminology, interpretation of oral communications between attorney and client, as well as written translation of legal pleadings, forms, simple reports, and certificates. The program also emphasizes terminology required by interpreters in the medical, immigration and business areas.
Legal Interpretation – Basic (English/Spanish) Certificate
| Bus 181 |
Spanish Computer Skills for Interpretation/Translation |
3 units |
| Bus 210 |
Business English |
3 units |
| Bus 226 |
Interpretation and Translation: Legal |
3 units |
| Span 215 |
Spanish for Bilinguals I |
5 units |
| |
|
|
| Complete 6 units from the following courses: |
| Bus 225 |
Interpretation/Translation: General Business |
3 units |
| Bus 227 |
Interpretation and Translation: Medical |
3 units |
| Bus 229 |
Legal Terminology: Bilingual (English/Spanish) |
3 units |
| Bus 233 |
Interpretation/Translation: Immigration |
3 units |
| MEDOP 229 |
Medical Terminology – Bilingual (English/Spansih) |
3 units |
| |
TOTAL
|
20 units
|
Legal Interpretation and Translation – Intermediate (English/Spanish) Certificate
| Bus 211 |
Communication in Business and Industry |
3 units |
| OR |
|
|
| Bus 212 |
Business Communication |
3 units |
| Bus 234 |
Advanced Interpretation and Translation: Legal |
3 units |
| Span 216 |
Spanish for Bilinguals II |
5 units |
| |
|
|
| Complete 3 units from the following courses: |
| Bus 225 |
Interpretation/Translation: General Business |
3 units |
| Bus 227 |
Interpretation and Translation: Medical |
3 units |
| Bus 233 |
Interpretation/Translation: Immigration |
3 units |
| MEDOP 229 |
Medical Terminology – Bilingual (English/Spanish) |
3 units |
| Courses for Legal Interpretation Basic Certificate |
20 units |
|
TOTAL
|
34 units
|
Career Outlook
Interpreters and Translators enable the cross-cultural communication necessary in today’s society by converting one language into another. Interpreters and translators must thoroughly understand the subject matter in which they work so that they are able to convert information from one language, known as the source language, into another target language. Interpreters convert spoken language into another language. Translators convert written materials from one language into another. They must have excellent writing and analytical ability. They also need strong editing skills since the documents they translate must completely match the intended message. Interpreters work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, courtrooms, and conference centers. They are required to travel to the site wherever their services are needed. Translators usually work alone and they must frequently work under the pressure of deadlines and tight schedules.
The following is a list of career options available for the interpreter/translator. Some require a certificate and most require an associate degree: court interpreter, freelance interpreter/translator, assistant in legal intake and services in juvenile mediation, immigration, and family counseling. Employment opportunities exist in courts, legal clinics, related public and private agencies, and international business settings.
Salary Information
The salaries of interpreters and translators can vary widely depending on language, subject matter, skill, experience, level of education, certification, and type of employer. Competency in language determines the speed of advancement for translators and interpreters. Advancement may consist of more difficult assignments and higher pay.
Wage and salary interpreters and translators had median hourly wages of $38,850 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,940 and $52,240. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,190. Individuals classified as language specialists in the Federal Government earned an average of $79,865 annually in March 2009.
(Data taken from the 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Employment Outlook
Interpreters and translators can expect much faster than aver¬age employment growth. Overall, employment of interpreters and translators is projected to increase 22 percent over the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupa¬tions. Higher demand for interpreters and translators results directly from the broadening of international ties and the large increases in the number of non-English speaking people in the United States. Both of these trends are expected to continue throughout the projections period, contributing to relatively rapid growth in the number of jobs for interpreters and transla¬tors across all industries in the economy.
(Data taken from the 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)