This content was published: March 21, 2006. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Legal interpreting program focuses on foundation skills

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PORTLAND, Ore. – For those who speak a second language and enjoy helping others, legal interpreting can be a rewarding career.

Portland Community College’s non-credit Legal Interpreting program provides students with a firm foundation upon which to build a career in the legal system as an interpreter. This spring, instructor Therese Rogers will cover basic courtroom etiquette and ethics. Both classes will be held at the PCC Central Portland Workforce Training Center, 1626 S.E. Water Ave

Introduction to Legal Interpreting provides students with courtroom protocol, the interpreter’s role, common legal terminology and its meaning, and covers professional ethics, interpreting models and ways to avoid common pitfalls. The class will meet from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, April 5 through April 26. Cost is $92.

The code of conduct is both a sword and a shield. Ethical Guidelines for Court Interpreters helps students keep from straying into dangerous areas and it protects them from unreasonable demands by clients unfamiliar with their role. The class will meet from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 8. Cost is $29.

For more information contact the PCC Community Education office at 503-731-6642.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »