Language Services

The Vendor is required to provide language services for responsive and responsible, qualified Spanish and lesser-used languages (LUL) interpreters, transcriptionists and translators, and sign language interpreters for court users and litigants with limited-English proficiency (LEP) as well as users who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and blind.
- Sign language:
• Legal sign language interpreting license in accordance with the licensure rules established by the state commission for the deaf and hard-of-hearing; provide copies of licenses.
• Be proficient in simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation techniques.
• Following types of services: sign language interpretation, both in-person and via remote video, remote hookup, tactile/low vision.
• Certified transcription and translation of video recordings when accepting a transcription/translation assignment from the court.
• Certified deaf interpreter (cdi) to facilitate communication when the communication mode of a deaf consumer is so unique that communication cannot be adequately accessed by interpreters who are hearing.
• Situations requiring a cdi may involve individuals who:
• Specialized communication modalities/techniques
• Use a foreign sign language.
• Have minimal or limited communication skills
• Use sign particular to a given region, ethnic or age group.
• A cdi may work as a team member in collaboration with another state licensed interpreter in situations where:
• Each interpreter receives the message in one communication mode (or language);
• A certified cued speech translator shall facilitate communication between spoken and cued English users.
- Spanish and lesser-used languages (LUL)
• Be highly proficient in both English and non-English language(s).
• Be registered in the state court interpreter registry.
• Provide interpreting services for court events and authorized by the court that requires language assistance for an LEP litigant, witness, victim, or anyone entitled to such language assistance
• Have the capability and capacity to provide remote video interpreting services.
• Remote video interpretation for virtual events or when in person interpretation is not feasible
• Remote video interpretation event when the location of the event does not warrant the use of an in-person interpreter.
• All remote interpretations shall be conducted in a private location, such as an office, or home office where the interpreter will not be subject to interruptions.
• The interpreter shall dress appropriately and in the same manner as if they were physically appearing in a courtroom.
• All interpreters working remotely shall have access to high-speed internet, a smart device (computer/tablet) and a separate telephone/mobile phone line
• The court may utilize on-demand interpreting to provide attorneys and court staff with convenient access to a phone bank of interpreters that provide interpretation services in multiple languages.
- Transcription and translation
• English and the non-English language through a language testing service at a superior level, or a minimum score of ten (10) on the Alta testing scale (or equivalent testing scale), in understanding, reading and writing skills; provide copies of certification.
• Possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent provide copies of diplomas and degrees.
• Use Microsoft word and submit all work in .docx format or the latest Microsoft word format.
• Transcribing audio/video recordings conducted in a foreign language, American Sign Language (ASL), and English, as well as translating legal documents, transcripts, forms, brochures, and other types of instruments used in court.
• Provide a faithful translation and transcription of every utterance given by the speaker and not omit or add to the versions they transcribe or translate, nor change the register, tone, or intent of versions.
• Identify all utterances spoken or written in the target language so that the reader may see that the text is the product of the source text’s speaker/author and not the transcriber/translator.