5.2 Training

For the last three or four decades, interpreters have worked consistently to develop language interpretation as a recognized and properly compensated profession. This is, of course, a worthy and necessary goal given the important role interpreters play in facilitating language access for LEP individuals. However, unlike medical or legal education, for example, interpreter training lacks a standardized curriculum and is often unavailable as part of a university degree. Such training is available at some universities or community colleges as a free-standing certificate program and, increasingly these days, online.1

• 1See, e.g., Legal Interpreter Training, Language Connections; Language Interpreter Certificate Program, La Guardia Comm. Coll.; Court Interpreter Training Institute (CITI), Univ. Ariz.; S. Cal. Sch. Interpretation.