It’s your third hour of interpreting in a courtroom. You’ve been relaying information between the legal team and the client when, suddenly, the attorney makes a statement, and you draw a blank
on the Spanish equivalent of a word. Now the judge and everyone else are waiting for you to interpret.

What do you do?

For many of us in the interpreting field, this is a familiar experience. Does it mean you’ve failed
as an interpreter? Not at all.

What matters is how you handle the moment.

Here are some tips to help you navigate it professionally...

Take a Moment to Pause and Identify the Issue
Is it a word you know but can’t recall at that second? Or is the terminology unfamiliar?
Sometimes, taking a breath gives you the moment you need to find the right word. If the term is unfamiliar, you may need to verify it before proceeding.

Ask to Verify a Word When Necessary
When appropriate to the setting, request permission to briefly consult a reference and verify the correct term. Be transparent about what you need and keep the request brief.

Speak Up Before an Error Occurs
Avoid guessing or filling in missing information. NAJIT’s Code of Ethics states that court interpreters who have not heard or understood what a speaker has said should seek
clarification. A brief request for repetition or clarification can prevent an inaccurate interpretation.

Request a Manageable Pace, Even From the Judge
If the conversation is moving too quickly to interpret completely and accurately, respectfully request a slower pace.

For example: “Your Honor, the interpreter requests a slower pace to interpret the complete statement accurately.”

Keep Interventions Brief and Focused.
A trap that interpreters early in their career can fall into is overexplaining why you need clarification. State the issue and your request clearly, without a lengthy explanation. Be mindful
of timing, but speak up promptly when accuracy is at risk.

For further guidance, see NAJIT’s article on professional interventions while interpreting.

Remember That Accuracy Remains the Standard.
Your focus is to preserve the speaker’s meaning without omitting, adding, or guessing information. If that is in jeopardy, speak up. If you realize you’ve made an error, correct it as quickly and transparently as possible.

Use the Experience to Prepare For Next Time.
Review difficult terminology afterward and practice using it in context. Rehearse the phrases you use to request repetition or clarification, too. That preparation can help you handle a future
similar situation with greater confidence.

As a legal interpreter, your responsibility is to provide complete and accurate interpretation. Sometimes, that requires a brief, respectful intervention. Knowing when to pause, clarify, or
verify a term is part of providing professional service.