High cost of interpreters hits local courts Thread poster: Silvia Calderón
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| | Nicole Schnell 
United States
Local time: 13:22
English to German
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In memoriam | Oh, good grief. | Aug 3, 2010 |
"Council members' brows furrowed further when they learned that the contract paid $48.99 per hour for interpreter services with a two-hour minimum per session, and that interpreters would also bill 55 cents per mile with an average round trip of 40 miles.
"I need to get a Rosetta Stone [language lesson CD]," said Councilman D.C. Aiken. "That's not a bad gig."
With this attitude - a language lesson CD will do the trick - it is no wonder that they consider interpreters ... See more "Council members' brows furrowed further when they learned that the contract paid $48.99 per hour for interpreter services with a two-hour minimum per session, and that interpreters would also bill 55 cents per mile with an average round trip of 40 miles.
"I need to get a Rosetta Stone [language lesson CD]," said Councilman D.C. Aiken. "That's not a bad gig."
With this attitude - a language lesson CD will do the trick - it is no wonder that they consider interpreters overpaid. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Well, let him give it a try... | Aug 3, 2010 |
Nicole Schnell wrote:
..."I need to get a Rosetta Stone [language lesson CD]," said Councilman D.C. Aiken. "That's not a bad gig."
With this attitude - a language lesson CD will do the trick - it is no wonder that they consider interpreters overpaid.
Let Mr. Aiken try that, Nicole. I guarantee you that in less than an hour, he'll realize the foolishness of his idea. I can just picture him breaking that CD in frustration, hitting his computer and screaming : "I'm just not good at languages!"
And we will have the last laugh...
| | | | | Our hourly value? | Aug 3, 2010 |
Nicole Schnell wrote:
"I need to get a Rosetta Stone [language lesson CD]," said Councilman D.C. Aiken. "That's not a bad gig."
With this attitude - a language lesson CD will do the trick - it is no wonder that they consider interpreters overpaid.
I have been working as a translator/interpretor for about 35 years. When I was a high school student, I planned to study medicine but in fact I took engineering course. I find that translation/interpretation is also a very skillful profession that requires continual education and supporting expenses. Why are we said to be overpaid in courts? Will our fee be always smaller than lawyer or physician fee? And will not the substantial amount of public expenses be paid for our professionalism?
Regards,
Soonthon L.
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Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 13:22
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.) wrote:
I have been working as a translator/interpretor for about 35 years. When I was a high school student, I planned to study medicine but in fact I took engineering course. I find that translation/interpretation is also a very skillful profession that requires continual education and supporting expenses. Why are we said to be overpaid in courts? Will our fee be always smaller than lawyer or physician fee? And will not the substantial amount of public expenses be paid for our professionalism?
This statement by this Councilman made my toes curl. Also, everybody who is traveling for business is charging for their travel expenses. 55 cent / mile is the standard rate here in the US. Why not interpreters - or are they supposed to beam themselves into the court room?
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 22:22
Spanish to English
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| The high cost of human rights? | Aug 3, 2010 |
It's not even the rate, it's the principle of the thing.
I bet he wouldn't object to finding out he has the right to an interpreter if the country doesn't speak English
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:22
Flemish to English
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| Court and conference | Aug 3, 2010 |
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.) wrote:
Will our fee be always smaller than lawyer or physician fee?
And will not the substantial amount of public expenses be paid for our professionalism?
Regards,
Soonthon L.
The lawyer in a court will always earn more than the translator.
The CEO at a board-meeting will earn more than the interpreter sitting next to him.
That said: conference, not court, interpreting does not pay too bad either. About the rates mentioned, but in euros, not in $.
C.I.'s are highly trained, Court I's are less highly trained.
[Edited at 2010-08-04 05:04 GMT]
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 13:22
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Parrot wrote: I bet he wouldn't object to finding out he has the right to an interpreter if the country doesn't speak English
I am sure he will have a full set of little language learning CDs ("Rare languages of the World") on him and he will do just fine without any of those interpreters. 
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