Over the years, I have discovered that the biggest challenge facing many interpreters is not vocabulary-it is context.

An interpreter may know the dictionary definition of a word, yet still struggle if they do not understand how that word is being used within an investigation, a courtroom proceeding, or a real-world legal situation.

That realization became the foundation of the Interpreter Training Group.

My goal has never been to simply teach terminology. My goal is to help interpreters understand the world behind the words. Whether the topic is homicide investigations, wiretap operations, narcotics trafficking, family law, social media evidence, or forensic pathology, understanding the context often makes the language easier to recognize, understand, and accurately interpret.

In many languages, there is not always a precise word-for-word equivalent. Interpreters are often required to convey meaning rather than merely substitute vocabulary. To do that effectively, they must understand not only the terminology itself, but also the concepts, procedures, and circumstances that give the terminology its significance.

Throughout my career, I have learned that understanding the meaning behind specialized language often requires understanding the environment in which that language is used. In a criminal investigation, for example, it is not enough to know a term's definition. An interpreter benefits from understanding what the investigator is doing, why the investigator is doing it, and what that term means within the context of the investigation itself.

I often compare this to reading a map. Two people may be looking at the same document. One person can identify the symbols, landmarks, and place names. The other understands how those individual elements connect to form a complete picture of the terrain.

The same principle applies to interpretation. Knowing the word is important. Understanding the larger framework in which that word is being used is what allows an interpreter to accurately convey meaning across languages and cultures.

That is the philosophy behind every Interpreter Training Group course.

The goal is not simply to learn new words.

The goal is to understand what those words mean, why they matter, and how they function within the legal and judicial systems in which interpreters work.

Educational Philosophy