TRAINING PUBLIC SERVICE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS IN THE LEGAL CONTEXT

Abstract

Formal training and practice in public service interpreting and translating (PSIT), also known as community interpreting, has been sparking growing interest in Translation Studies (TS). For this field to develop, training and practice need to find common ground with society’s needs and the actual professional practice. Based on a case study, the Masters in Intercultural Communication, Interpreting and Translating in Public Services (MICIT) at the University of Alcalá (UAH), Madrid, Spain, an attempt to integrate training, practice and market needs is described and assessed. The MICIT covers translation and interpreting in different settings, although this paper focuses on the legal domain. Data are drawn from the last six academic years (2006 – 2012). The key elements of the existing debate between LIT and PSIT are first introduced, defining some concepts and discussing areas of study as well as the connections between PSIT and LIT; secondly, the postgraduate programme at UAH is described, focusing on LIT modules; thirdly, the integration of internships and research in the programme is further considered and assessed. Results of research within the legal context carried out by postgraduate students are then exposed. While emphasizing the usefulness of research in TS being an integral part of the training of legal interpreters and translators, I will mention some of the challenges that remain.