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__________________________
Whereas,
I am a court interpreter duly sworn to render a complete and accurate interpretation to the best of my ability;
I am bound by the interpreterâs code of ethics to make the competent judicial authority aware of any obstacle or impediment to fulfilling this oath;
Simultaneous interpreting is mentally and physically taxing and requires complex cognitive skills employed at a very high level which is impossible to maintain for an extended period of time;
Studies have shown that âinterpreting skills will continue to significantly deteriorate after a thirty minute uninterrupted interpreting taskâ;[1]
To safeguard the integrity of interpreting services, and to insure that the quality does not decrease due to interpreter fatigue, the presiding judge may:
The industry standard for this switching of interpreters is at twenty minute intervals in order to reduce the impact of interpreter fatigue upon the quality of interpreting, as well to safeguard the health and well-being of interpreters;[3]
Therefore,
I respectfully inform your honor that in the absence of a colleague with whom to work as a team, I will require a 20 minute break after every 20 minutes of simultaneous interpreting to ensure due process and uphold my oath before the court.
[signed]
___________________
[1]Â Gabrian, Jessica and Gerard Williams. âThe Effect of Interpreter Fatigue On Interpretation Quality.â
[2] Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 5, Ch. 5 of Court Interpreters Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1827, Last revised (Transmittal 05-002) June 9, 2011. http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FederalCourts/Publications/Guide_Vol05.pdf.
[3] Gabrian & Williams, supra.
