INTERPRETER CONCEPTS - NCIHC
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
What is communicative autonomy? - ANSWER-the capacity to be responsible for and in
control of our own communication
What is community interpreting? - ANSWER-DEF → bidirectional interpreting that takes
place in communicative settings among speakers of different languages for the purpose
of accessing community services
DEF 2→ a specialization of interpreting that facilitates access to community services for
individuals who do no speak the language of service
What is medical interpreting? - ANSWER-interpreting that takes place in healthcare
settings of any sort, including doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, home health visits,
mental health clinics, and public health presentations and financial assistance
Are medical interpreters community interpreters? - ANSWER-Yes, they are one of
various types of community interpreters but one that needs more training and
certification than most other settings. They still fit under the umbrella of community
interpreters because they help connect LEPs to a community service by eliminating a
language barrier.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - ANSWER-(1) Communicative Autonomy - when
each party can be capable and responsible for their own communication
(2)Breaking down barriers to social and community services due to lack of common
language or proficiency.
Which area(s) of interpreting has/have become the most professionalized? - ANSWER-
Medical and Legal, but medical has professionalized the fastest because of four key
factors: (1) global migration, (2) language laws and policies, (3) concerns for quality of
care, and (4) the impact of technology and globalization.
**SIDE NOTE: Also note that The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI (6) states that any
"recipient" of federal finances must by law provide language services to all LEPs to
avoid language discrimintation.**
What are the minimum requirements to become a community interpreter? - ANSWER-1.
Be 18 years of age
2. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
, 3. Proof of Language Proficiency
4. Hold a certificate for Professional Interpreter Training (at least 40 hours)
**Lasts 4 years
What's the difference between a certificate and a certification? - ANSWER-A certificate
is a document that proves an individual has completed a course or training, but it does
not prove or validate proficiency in the field or adequate credentials to be a competent
interpreter. It IS a credential.
A certification is when a professional organization or government entity uses a validated
examination that adheres to national or international standards to approve a candidate.
It is when an institution puts its weight behind your ability and credentials.
**A license is when the government asserts that your credentials are sufficient**
Which kinds of organizations develop recognized certification programs for interpreters?
- ANSWER-National, Federal, and State Organizations develop certification programs
for interpreters - typically for medical and legal bodies, very few for general community
and social services training. A few of note are:
National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
Federal Court Interpreter Certification, State Court Interpreter Certification
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
If you graduate successfully from a 40-hour interpreting program, are you certified? -
ANSWER-No. An interpreting program completion is one credential to add to your
portfolio and is one of the four bare minimum requirements to be an interpreter, but it
does not make you certified. Only an interpreting body can certify you.
Name the organizations in the United States that provide national medical interpreter
certification. - ANSWER-NCIHC - National Council for Interpreting in Health Care
CCHI - Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
Is there national U.S. certification for community interpreters? - ANSWER-At the
moment, no, there is NOT for community interpreters - only medical interpreters. The
field is still developing and only started official certifications in 2009.
What is a code of ethics? - ANSWER-A code of ethics is an agreed-upon set of
guidelines of the core principles of the profession of interpreting.
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
What is communicative autonomy? - ANSWER-the capacity to be responsible for and in
control of our own communication
What is community interpreting? - ANSWER-DEF → bidirectional interpreting that takes
place in communicative settings among speakers of different languages for the purpose
of accessing community services
DEF 2→ a specialization of interpreting that facilitates access to community services for
individuals who do no speak the language of service
What is medical interpreting? - ANSWER-interpreting that takes place in healthcare
settings of any sort, including doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, home health visits,
mental health clinics, and public health presentations and financial assistance
Are medical interpreters community interpreters? - ANSWER-Yes, they are one of
various types of community interpreters but one that needs more training and
certification than most other settings. They still fit under the umbrella of community
interpreters because they help connect LEPs to a community service by eliminating a
language barrier.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - ANSWER-(1) Communicative Autonomy - when
each party can be capable and responsible for their own communication
(2)Breaking down barriers to social and community services due to lack of common
language or proficiency.
Which area(s) of interpreting has/have become the most professionalized? - ANSWER-
Medical and Legal, but medical has professionalized the fastest because of four key
factors: (1) global migration, (2) language laws and policies, (3) concerns for quality of
care, and (4) the impact of technology and globalization.
**SIDE NOTE: Also note that The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI (6) states that any
"recipient" of federal finances must by law provide language services to all LEPs to
avoid language discrimintation.**
What are the minimum requirements to become a community interpreter? - ANSWER-1.
Be 18 years of age
2. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
, 3. Proof of Language Proficiency
4. Hold a certificate for Professional Interpreter Training (at least 40 hours)
**Lasts 4 years
What's the difference between a certificate and a certification? - ANSWER-A certificate
is a document that proves an individual has completed a course or training, but it does
not prove or validate proficiency in the field or adequate credentials to be a competent
interpreter. It IS a credential.
A certification is when a professional organization or government entity uses a validated
examination that adheres to national or international standards to approve a candidate.
It is when an institution puts its weight behind your ability and credentials.
**A license is when the government asserts that your credentials are sufficient**
Which kinds of organizations develop recognized certification programs for interpreters?
- ANSWER-National, Federal, and State Organizations develop certification programs
for interpreters - typically for medical and legal bodies, very few for general community
and social services training. A few of note are:
National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
Federal Court Interpreter Certification, State Court Interpreter Certification
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
If you graduate successfully from a 40-hour interpreting program, are you certified? -
ANSWER-No. An interpreting program completion is one credential to add to your
portfolio and is one of the four bare minimum requirements to be an interpreter, but it
does not make you certified. Only an interpreting body can certify you.
Name the organizations in the United States that provide national medical interpreter
certification. - ANSWER-NCIHC - National Council for Interpreting in Health Care
CCHI - Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters
Is there national U.S. certification for community interpreters? - ANSWER-At the
moment, no, there is NOT for community interpreters - only medical interpreters. The
field is still developing and only started official certifications in 2009.
What is a code of ethics? - ANSWER-A code of ethics is an agreed-upon set of
guidelines of the core principles of the profession of interpreting.
