NITA Strongly Disagrees With Anonymous Letter Sent to the Administrator of the Courts of Nevada

Feb. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- (Reno, NV) The following is a statement by the Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA) made in response to an anonymous letter sent publicly to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) of the Supreme Court of Nevada. NITA regrets the form, style and substance of this letter, and strongly disagrees with its suggested logic. The offending letter and a much fuller discussion of this matter and the overarching concerns regarding court interpreting in Nevada can be read at:

http://www.nitaonline.org/2010/02/why-anonymous-threat-letter-runs-afoul-of-professional-court-interpreters/

The anonymous letter sent to the AOC refers to employment of non-accredited interpreters by courts in Las Vegas. It sets the tone for its message with a poorly constructed opening sentence and continues with similarly poor English, not worthy of a language professional.

It is distressing that, apparently, some court interpreters are confused about the nature and intent of the regulations currently in place for court interpreters, more specifically: for certified and registered court interpreters. The lack of enforcement of the use of available, properly qualified court interpreters is indeed currently a substantial problem. Nevada Revised Statutes regulate the conditions which court interpreters must meet to obtain and maintain their certified status, but does not mandate that courts use only these interpreters.

The Board of Directors of the Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association rejects the letter’s stated intent of ignoring the regulations applicable to maintaining certification as a court interpreter. NITA makes a public call on all certified court interpreters in the state of Nevada to support the State Court Administrator and his Advisory Committee, who work diligently to address and resolve the mismatch mentioned above.

In that regard, NITA believes it is indeed far more motivating, positive and above all productive to adopt a constructive attitude, supporting and standing by the Advisory Committee in its efforts on the path to a future state-wide mandate to use, wherever reasonably possible, the services of certified court interpreters. To that end, attending their public meetings held approximately every trimester is a helpful first step to a better, greater and common understanding.

We believe that the letter is an affront to professional, certified and registered court interpreters, and felt it was appropriate to respond to it. The anonymous letter exudes a lack of professionalism and competence.

In closing, NITA offers its encouragement and support – to which end NITA works hard to expand our current offering in professional development opportunities approved for continuing education units by the AOC – to all who are truly serious about this tasking but rewarding profession. Just as, in general terms, NITA is committed to working with any and all parties and stakeholders relevant to our core mission: "to advance and to elevate the quality and availability of language services throughout the State of Nevada."

Reno, Nevada, on 17 of February, 2010

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The Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA) works to advance and elevate the quality and availability of language services in Nevada.