Fit-to-Practise Versus Exam-Ready Legal Public Service Interpreter Training: Training for Real Life or for the Exam?

Abstract

In an ideal world public service interpreters would as a matter of course be expected to prove proficiency to operate at the level necessary to interpret competently and successfully in their particular discipline. Concentrating on the English Law option of the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting training, this article investigates whether there is a difference between the examination syllabus and associated training which prepares students to pass the examination, and the training they should receive to allow them to both pass the examination and be capable of operating at the level which may be expected of them from as early as their first day in the job. The issue is now complicated by the current state of disarray within the profession which sees qualified and experienced public service interpreters (PSIs) refusing to work for the UK Government’s appointed contractor, whilst court cases are delayed or abandoned for want of qualified interpreters.