The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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Vol/52 No/1 2013 FEBRUARY/MARCH The Linguist 21 FEATURES In 2012, the MoJ appointed a single agency, Applied Language Solutions (ALS/Capita), to deliver language services to the judicial system, with the aim of reducing costs. The new system employs a three-tier format, with NRPSI-registered interpreters qualifying for top-tier status. However, the arrangements have led to the supply of unqualified, inexperienced and incompetent interpreters. The lack of quality control offered by the MoJ's Framework Agreement (FWA) is damaging to the reputation of the interpreting profession as a whole. Furthermore, as the sole provider for the MoJ, ALS has control over recruitment, pay, price, quality and other factors. NRPSI has attempted to engage with the MoJ at various stages, in order to register its concerns about the new system. We are tackling the issue by collaborating with other professional interpreting bodies, and have taken part in the Professional Interpreters for Justice (PI4J) campaign to bring the profession's common concerns to the attention of government and policymakers. This unified approach has provided the profession with a strong voice regarding the failure of ALS to deliver the necessary quality interpreting service to the MoJ. NRPSI has also contributed to various public inquiries regarding the FWA and the service provided by ALS, including the National Audit Office (NAO) investigation and Justice Select Committee inquiry. NRPSI provided an independent written submission to the Justice Select Committee inquiry calling for an urgent review of the FWA, involving all relevant sector participants and stakeholders, and emphasising the vital role that an independent register and regulator has in developing an accountable and sustainable interpreting profession. NRPSI Chairman, Ted Sangster, appeared before the committee to provide oral evidence on 23 October 2012. Most recently, we participated with other PI4J members in a meeting with Justice Minister Helen Grant, and will be responding to her request for proposals to address the profession's concerns. While much of the sector and media attention has been focused on the challenges facing public sector interpreters working for the judicial system, the current situation has serious implications for interpreters working in other fields. There is a risk that the MoJ/ALS system could be adopted by other sectors and organisations in the procurement of unqualified interpreting services, driving down the quality of the language services and endangering the public. In anticipation of this threat, NRPSI has responded to various police authorities' consultations on their interpretation services to highlight the failings of the FWA and recommend that they seek quality assurance from their language service providers in order to protect the public. We have advised that only qualified, NRPSI- registered interpreters be used to ensure professional competency and accountability. IN BETTER HEALTH NRPSI has been working with clients of interpreting services, including medical staff, to increase recognition of interpreting as a serious profession there is regulation of practising interpreters across sectors. A public service need not be restricted to a service solely funded by the government but could include any service that deals with and supplies members of the public (eg, the Olympics – a global public event). By covering the entire professional interpreting sector, NRPSI will be moving towards performing the full duties of a sector regulator, including monitoring the whole profession while promoting healthy competition. The European Directive 2010/64/EU on 'The right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings' will soon be introduced, requiring each member state 'to establish a register or registers of independent translators and interpreters who are appropriately qualified'. The UK will need to recognise and maintain its advancements with an existing independent register and voluntary regulator in the form of NRPSI. Nobody knows better than practising interpreters the challenges they face at work. Sometimes professional standards and recognition might seem like the least of their concerns. But given the choice, who will employers appoint: the expert with the right level of training and qualifications, who is regulated by recognised standards, or someone who is unqualified and unregulated? Addressing the threat to standards is not only the immediate but also the long-term aim NRPSI and the MoJ © I S TOCKPHOTO