17 Court Interpreter Interview Questions and Answers

Court interpreters play a critical role in the U.S. judicial system by ensuring that non-English-speaking defendants have a fair trial. They also help law enforcement officers and judges by translating conversations and documents.

If you want to become a court interpreter, you’ll need to pass a language proficiency exam and go through a certification process. But before you can take the exam, you’ll need to ace the interview.

In this guide, you’ll find court interpreter interview questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview. You’ll learn what to expect and how to answer questions about your language skills, experience, and knowledge of court procedures.

Are you certified as a court interpreter?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have the necessary certification for the position. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and when you plan to take your exam.

Example: “I am currently studying for my certification exam. I’ve been working as a freelance interpreter for two years now, so I’m familiar with many of the terms and procedures that will be on the test. I plan to take it in six months.”

What are the most important qualities for a court interpreter?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want to know what you value in a court interpreter and how those qualities relate to your own experience. In your answer, try to identify two or three important qualities that you possess.

Example: “The most important quality for a court interpreter is accuracy. I believe it’s crucial to understand every word of the case so that you can accurately translate it into another language. Another important quality is patience. Court cases often involve many people who are speaking at once, which can be challenging when translating. Patience helps me stay calm and focused on my work.”

How would you describe the relationship between a court interpreter and a judge?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your understanding of the role of a court interpreter and how you interact with judges. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of working well with judges, as they can have an impact on your ability to perform your job effectively.

Example: “I believe that it is important for a judge and a court interpreter to maintain a good relationship. Judges are in charge of making sure cases move along quickly and efficiently, so I try to be respectful and attentive when they speak. In return, judges appreciate my attention to detail and often provide me with feedback about how I am performing during trials.”

What is the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpreting?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of interpreting and how it works. It also shows the interviewer that you understand the differences between these two types of interpreting, which can be important when working in court settings where time is often of the essence. In your answer, try to explain what each type of interpreting entails and why one might be more useful than the other depending on the situation.

Example: “Consecutive interpreting involves an interpreter translating for one person at a time while they speak. This method is best used when there are only two people involved in the conversation, such as during a deposition or trial. Simultaneous interpreting involves an interpreter translating for multiple people at once. This method is best used when there are many people involved in the conversation, such as during a hearing.”

Provide an example of when it is appropriate to provide additional clarification during an interpretation.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to make decisions on the fly and how you prioritize tasks. In your answer, try to describe a situation in which you had to provide additional clarification during an interpretation and what factors contributed to that decision.

Example: “In my experience as a court interpreter, I have found it is important to clarify certain terms or phrases when they are used in a way that could be confusing for the parties involved. For example, if one party uses a term that has multiple meanings, I will explain all of those meanings so there is no confusion about what was said. If I notice that a party is using a word incorrectly, I will also correct them so that their statement can be accurately interpreted.”

If you were asked to interpret a statement that was both offensive and unclear, what would you do?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to remain calm and focused in a high-pressure situation. In your answer, demonstrate that you can maintain composure while still being respectful of the speaker’s intentions.

Example: “If I were interpreting for someone who was making an offensive statement, I would first try to clarify what they said by asking them to repeat themselves or rephrase their statement. If I could not understand the statement after repeating it, I would politely request that they speak more clearly so that I could accurately interpret their words. I would also make sure to relay the message as respectfully as possible to ensure that the person receiving my interpretation understood the speaker’s true meaning.”

What would you do if you noticed that the people you were interpreting for were having a difficult time understanding each other?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to different situations.

Example: “If I noticed that the people I was interpreting for were having a difficult time understanding each other, I would try my best to find a solution. If they are speaking in different languages, I would ask them if they speak any other languages or dialects so I could interpret those as well. If they aren’t able to communicate with one another using these methods, I would suggest that they use an interpreter who speaks both of their native languages.”

How well do you think you can remain impartial when interpreting for a heated legal dispute?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to remain impartial and unbiased when interpreting for a case that involves strong emotions. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to stay calm and focused during a heated dispute, even if the parties involved were upset or emotional.

Example: “I have interpreted in many cases involving intense emotions, including family law disputes and criminal trials. In these situations, I always try to focus on my work as much as possible so that I can accurately translate what each party is saying without letting their emotions distract me. This helps me maintain an impartial perspective throughout the entire legal proceeding.”

Do you have experience interpreting for people from different cultural backgrounds?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people from different backgrounds. This can help them determine whether or not you are able to adapt to the needs of a diverse group of people and how well you work in an unfamiliar environment. In your answer, try to explain that you enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and cultures.

Example: “I’ve interpreted for many different groups of people throughout my career. I find it very rewarding to be able to communicate with people who speak different languages and provide them with access to legal services. I am always willing to learn new things and adjust my methods when necessary.”

When performing consecutive interpreting, how do you manage the back-and-forth communication between the speaker and listener?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage working in a fast-paced environment and your ability to multitask. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to successfully interpret consecutive conversations between two people.

Example: “Consecutive interpreting is one of my favorite types of interpreting because I enjoy being able to listen to an entire conversation before having to relay it to someone else. In my last role, I was often asked to perform consecutive interpreting for legal proceedings. To prepare myself, I would read through all documents related to the case so that I could familiarize myself with the terminology used by both parties. This helped me better understand what questions they may ask each other and allowed me to anticipate their responses.”

We want to make sure our interpreters are able to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the courtroom. How do you stay focused when interpreting for multiple people at once?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see how well you can multitask and keep up with the pace of a courtroom. Use your answer to show that you have experience working in fast-paced environments and are able to stay focused on what you’re doing.

Example: “I’ve worked as a court interpreter for five years now, so I’m used to keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the courtroom. In fact, I find it easier to interpret when there’s more than one person speaking at once because I don’t have to wait for someone to finish their sentence before I start interpreting.”

Describe your process for preparing to interpret a speech or conversation.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your process for interpreting in a court setting. They want to know that you have the skills and experience necessary to interpret accurately and efficiently. In your answer, describe how you prepare yourself before beginning an interpretation. Explain what steps you take to ensure you understand the speech or conversation and can relay it to others effectively.

Example: “Before I begin any interpretation, I make sure I am familiar with the language of both parties involved. For example, if one party speaks Spanish and the other English, I will need to be able to translate both languages fluently. I also try to arrive at the location early so I can review my notes on the case and get into the right mindset. This helps me feel prepared when I start the actual interpretation.”

What makes simultaneous interpreting different from consecutive interpreting?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the court interpreting process. You can answer this question by defining each type of interpreting and explaining how they differ from one another.

Example: “Consecutive interpreting involves a single interpreter who listens to a speaker, translates their speech into another language and then repeats it in front of the audience. Simultaneous interpreting involves two interpreters who listen to a speaker’s speech at the same time and translate it into another language while speaking it aloud. The main difference between these two types of interpreting is that simultaneous interpreters speak as they listen, whereas consecutive interpreters speak after translating.”

Which court or legal systems are you most familiar with?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine your level of experience and expertise. If you have previous experience as a court interpreter, they may want to know which courts you’ve interpreted for in the past. You can also use this opportunity to mention any other legal systems or languages that you’re familiar with.

Example: “I am most experienced interpreting in state courts, but I have also interpreted for federal courts on occasion. In my last position, I was responsible for translating during all types of cases, including civil, criminal and family law matters. I’m also fluent in Spanish and English, so I can interpret between both languages.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when interpreting for a legal proceeding?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and what skills you use to make sure you’re doing a good job. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of accuracy in interpreting for legal proceedings, as well as other important aspects of the job.

Example: “The most important thing I think about when interpreting is making sure I’m accurate. When working with a large group of people who are all speaking at once, it’s easy to miss something or misunderstand what someone said. To avoid this, I always take notes during the proceeding so I can refer back to them if needed. I also try to listen carefully and speak slowly so everyone has time to translate my words.”

How often do you perform simultaneous interpreting?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with simultaneous interpreting. If you have previous experience, share a story about how you handled it and what skills helped you succeed. If this is your first time doing simultaneous interpretation, explain that you are ready to learn how to do so.

Example: “I’ve performed simultaneous interpretation for over five years now. I started out as a consecutive interpreter, but my employer asked me to try simultaneous interpreting. At first, I was nervous because I didn’t know if I could handle both languages at once. However, I practiced in advance of each hearing and used techniques like repeating myself to ensure I said everything correctly. Now, I feel confident when performing simultaneous interpretation.”

There is a technical difficulty and you are unable to hear the speaker. What do you do?

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. You should answer this question by explaining what you would do in the situation, how you would solve the issue and what steps you would take to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I was unable to hear the speaker, I would ask for a break so that I could get my interpreter to repeat what they said. If there wasn’t time for a break, I would write down everything I heard and then discuss with my interpreter after the hearing to make sure I understood correctly. This process may slow down proceedings but ensures accuracy.”