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January 10, 2024

ATA and NAJIT Issue Joint Letter of Support for Minnesota Court Interpreters

Advocacy & Outreach

The American Translators Association (ATA) and the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) have issued a joint letter in support of court interpreters in Minnesota seeking fair compensation and working conditions. 

In June 2023, ATA, NAJIT, and other organizations wrote to the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Office about proposed changes to interpreter compensation. You can read ATA’s letter here.

A new compensation policy, which took effect on January 8, 2024, includes an hourly increase for in-person interpreting from $50 to $65, restoring 68% of interpreters’ buying power from when $50 was established as the hourly rate in 1997. For reference, to have kept up with inflation and provide equal buying power today, rates would need to be $95 per hour. Certification and whether the interpreter works with a spoken language or American Sign Language (ASL) also affects their hourly rate. Meanwhile, compensation for remote interpreting, which was originally higher due to being paid per minute, has been reduced to less than half, and travel time for in-person interpreters will no longer be eligible for reimbursement.

The new policy also removes previous language that “all reasonable efforts” must be made by interpreter coordinators to use certified interpreters, even when it means looking out of state. The use of certified interpreters, when available, is the best way to ensure the utmost accuracy during court proceedings.

Court interpreting demands a high degree of skill and training that take years to master. Many interpreters also opt to obtain and maintain certifications, when available in their language pairs to demonstrate their expertise. Court systems across the country struggle to attract qualified (and, where available, certified) interpreters due to inadequate compensation that is not commensurate with their skills or expertise. In response, many court systems are advocating to lower the requirements for qualification in an effort to increase the pool of available interpreters, but doing so puts due process at risk by increasing the likelihood that untrained interpreters find themselves in high-stakes courtroom settings.

As a result, last week, Minnesota court interpreters threatened a work stoppage. On January 8, 2024, interpreters in Minnesota began refusing to work.

ATA and NAJIT support court interpreters in Minnesota in their efforts to agree on a compensation structure that aligns with the specialized nature of their work. We encourage ongoing and constructive dialogue between interpreters and court administrators to address these concerns so that they may find mutually beneficial solutions together. 

Read ATA & NAJIT’s Joint Letter in Support of Minnesota Court Interpreters

January 5, 2024

Court Interpreter Program
c/o Mr. Jeff Shorba, State Court Administrator
State Court Administrator’s Office
Court Services Division
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, Suite 105
St. Paul, MN  55155

Subject: Letter of Support for Minnesota Court Interpreters

Dear Mr. Jeff Shorba and Court Interpreter Program staff:

The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) and the American Translators Association (ATA) extend their unwavering support to the dedicated court interpreters working in Minnesota who are advocating for improved compensation and working conditions. We commend them for their steadfast commitment to facilitating seamless communication in legal proceedings. Interpreters play a pivotal role in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps in the administration of justice, significantly contributing to the integrity and effectiveness of the court system.

Founded in 1978, NAJIT is singular in representing court interpreters, court translators, judicial officers, court administrators, scholars, trainers, as well as interpretation and translation students. ATA was founded in 1959 and represents translators and interpreters working in over 90 languages, many of whom work in legal settings. We are united by our commitment to advancing the professional contributions of interpreters and translators in legal settings, nurturing their growth, and advocating for best practices that ensure equitable access to justice for communities of speakers with limited English proficiency (LEP). We fully recognize the unique skill set, knowledge, and professionalism that court interpreters bring to their vital work. We firmly believe that compensation for these services should be congruent with the high standards of expertise required.

Understanding the paramount importance of fair compensation, we acknowledge the intricacies of court interpreter work and the continuous investment in professional development to maintain and enhance interpretation skills. Adequate remuneration not only recognizes the value court interpreters bring to the legal process but also serves as a crucial means of attracting and retaining highly qualified professionals, thereby ensuring the continued delivery of professional interpretation services.

NAJIT and ATA stand firmly beside interpreters in advocating for compensation structures that align with the specialized nature of court interpreting. We encourage ongoing and constructive dialogue between interpreters and court administrators to address these concerns and collaboratively find mutually beneficial solutions. Creating an environment that truly values the indispensable contributions of interpreters is essential to enhancing the overall delivery of justice.

NAJIT and ATA remain resolute in our commitment to supporting the professional interests of court interpreters nationwide, advocating for fair compensation, and highlighting the invaluable role interpreters play in our legal system. We pledge our ongoing support to Minnesota court interpreters’ efforts to engage productively with the Minnesota Judiciary. Together, we can contribute significantly to the advancement of the interpreting profession and the ongoing pursuit of justice.

The NAJIT Board of Directors
The ATA Advocacy Committee

Cc:
Representative Jamie Becker-Finn
Hon. Natalie E. Hudson, Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court
Judge David L. Knutson, First Judicial District
Polly Ryan, Program Coordinator, Court Interpreter Program
Governor Tim Walz
Senator Ron Latz

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