Empowering Employees part 1
October 30, 2019
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A few years ago, I attended a Greenville Chamber of Commerce meeting featuring the CEO of a very successful company providing military vehicles to the
Alfonso's Language & Safety Blog
Our Thoughts on Language and Safety Industry
An argument for Certified professional interpreters (Confidentiality)
October 28, 2019
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As I have mentioned in previous blogs, at times, doctors choose to use family members, friends, or medical staff to interpret at an appointment instead
Why do I have to pay more for an interpreter recording?
October 26, 2019
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The role of interpreter is sometimes misunderstood. Much effort is done by the profession to educate all sectors that need this vital work. Conference interpreters
Training Leaders for a Strong Safety Culture Part 2
September 30, 2019
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In part one of this subject, we discussed that a skilled worker doesn’t always transition well into a skilled leader. Just like workers have a
Three Aspects of Medical Interpreters’ Scope of Practice You May Not Know
September 25, 2019
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The interpreting profession exists to bridge the language barrier between two or more parties who do not speak the same language. Here are some aspects
Shiny New SC Court Interpreter Policy and Procedure
September 21, 2019
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Between the Labor Day weekend and Hurricane Dorian’s threat to our coast, you may have missed the news. The South Carolina Judicial Branch issued its
Training Leaders for a strong safety culture part 1
August 31, 2019
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Supervisors are in the trenches so to speak. They oversee the actual work being performed and have authority to make changes and correct hazards. In
How do you know if the medical interpreter is accurate?
August 24, 2019
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Catherine Tate has a terribly funny bit on YouTube where she pretends to be an interpreter. In that video, she doesn’t know any of the
The Rigorous Mode of Simultaneous Interpreting
August 16, 2019
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Simultaneous interpreting is the most rigorous of interpreting modes. Only a small percentage of professionals can truly work simultaneously (listen to speaker in source language,
What If I Need an Interpreter at Jail?
August 6, 2019
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Criminal lawyers obtain their clients by private retention and appointment by the judge. Before trial or a plea, the attorney meets with potential witnesses, conducts
ACCOUNTABILITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY PART 2
July 26, 2019
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Our previous safety blog talked about accountability; setting high expectations and then following through. We considered that even when you have economic and work pressures
There IS a Guideline for Scheduling Court Interpreters!
July 20, 2019
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Some time ago, we published a blog, How do I schedule an interpreter because every SC county is different? In it, we mentioned that the
Booking Ahead for a Great Healthcare Interpreter
July 15, 2019
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My goal is that my clients enjoy great success. We make a concerted effort to arrive early to appointments and provide professional, knowledgeable, and ethical
Why Conference Interpreters Need Background Information?
July 9, 2019
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Some event and meeting planners have experience working with conference interpreters. Others have none. Nevertheless, there is always a first time. Although securing an interpreting
Accountability is essential for safety part 1
June 27, 2019
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Accountability is essential for safety part 1 A while back, I conducted a class and discussed the importance of accountability in safety. I talked about
Who Pays for Medical Interpreters?
June 26, 2019
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Federal law requires medical practices to use interpreters. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires interpreters for all patients with limited English proficiency (LEP)
5 Things to Know When Working with a legal Interpreter
June 26, 2019
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Many problems with interpreters are a result of others in the court not fully understanding how interpreting is supposed to be done. Judges, clerks, officers
Why should a company invest in language classes?
June 24, 2019
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Why should a company invest in language classes? Recently, I conducted Spanish language safety class with a group of workers. I have been providing regular
Integrating safety value to foster a strong safety climate part 2
May 25, 2019
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As considered in part 1, employees need to see safety written into the fabric of a company’s policy and processes. Obviously having it in print
Medical Interpreter Attentiveness
May 17, 2019
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The following is a scenario that unfolds on a regular basis. I arrive to interpret at a physical therapy appointment. They call the patient in
SC Judicial Department’s Need for a Uniform Standard in Scheduling Interpreters
May 10, 2019
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In South Carolina courts, who is responsible for scheduling an interpreter? One would think that this could all be done through one central office that
Interpreting for mandatory training?
May 5, 2019
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Every company has a certain amount of federally- or state-mandated required training. For example, the following is a list of subjects that OSHA® requires company
Integrating Safety Value to Promote a Strong Safety Climate – Part I
April 28, 2019
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In the previous two blogs, we discussed the importance of management and leadership setting the right example to promote a strong safety culture. We talked
The Biggest Court Interpreting Problem in SC
April 22, 2019
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As mentioned in previous blogs, South Carolina has a shortage of certified court interpreters, especially in languages other than Spanish (LOTS). Even if approximately two
Requesting a certified interpreter
April 12, 2019
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The National Certification for Healthcare Interpreters first began issuing credentials in 2011. In those seven years, it has continued to grow. For the past four
Interpreting for development training
April 7, 2019
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A positive company culture and safety environment are not always easy to accomplish. The larger the company, the more diverse the workforce, the greater the
Safety climate reflects Leadership part 2
March 31, 2019
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8 Ways to set the example Employees need to observe real safety commitment from their leaders. If they are not convinced, they will not take
Certified Legal Translator?
March 31, 2019
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In the United States, there is no such designation of Certified Legal Translator. Translators deal with the written word; interpreters deal with the spoken word.
The Triathlon of simultaneous interpreting
March 29, 2019
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So far, I have completed two sprint triathlons. My goal to prepare myself for a larger one soon. When I first tried to run my
How to find a certified health care interpreter.
March 28, 2019
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There are two recognized organizations in the United States that provide a certification for healthcare interpreters. CCHI certification is offered by the Certification Commission for
Interpreting for Technical Training
March 3, 2019
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Just as newer technologies continue to replace older technologies, employees must continue to receive updated technical training. Technical skills training is a necessary component of
Safety climate reflects Leadership part 1
February 28, 2019
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This is the first of a series of articles on safety culture and climate in the workplace. I begin at the top with company leaders!
Onboarding Training
February 28, 2019
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There is a difference between orientation and onboarding employee training. Orientation is usually related to human resources and is done at the first week of
The Extraordinarily Difficult Nature of Legal Interpreting
February 28, 2019
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Trust me, legal interpreting is not for the faint of heart. There are daunting encounters for professional court interpreters. First, they must be experts in
Work effectively with healthcare interpreters
February 13, 2019
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1. Choose a professional certified healthcare interpreter and become familiar with the code of ethics · By reviewing the code of ethics, you will better
Medical Interpreter Accuracy
January 27, 2019
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What exactly is accuracy when interpreting? This might seem like an obvious question, but it is more complicated than you realize. Why do I say
Conference Interpreting Solutions for Company Orientations
January 11, 2019
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Company orientations are one of the most common types of employee training. It introduces employees to the company and shares its method of operation and
Jeff Alfonso will present at ABC’s Safety Conference
January 11, 2019
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I am thrilled and delighted to announce that I will present at the Associated Builders & Contractors of the Carolinas 2019 Safety Conference. This year
Interpreters Must Adhere to Rules of Professional Conduct
January 8, 2019
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In every profession, we have those on the cutting edge, as well as those who believe there is no school like the old school. As
How My Certified Court Colleagues May Be Sabotaging Themselves
December 29, 2018
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In the past, we had an attorney angrily complain about our independent certified court interpreter. She was furious because the certified interpreter continually paused and
Safety Pre-Planning
December 26, 2018
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A while back I stood before a Hispanic work crew in the early morning before the start of the work shift. I was doing a
What time is on Time?
December 21, 2018
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Arriving on time is a very big deal! As much as we try to stand out for our as quality, ethical and knowledgeable professionals, some
Things many Medical interpreters do that are not in the job description
December 20, 2018
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Often, I hear complaints about good interpreters because they rigidly stick to their job description. This blog might get me in trouble with some of
Safety- Following Up
November 22, 2018
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A company was having problems with a Hispanic crew. They were a very good crew with the reputation for working fast and doing quality work.
Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court Part II
November 16, 2018
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Last month we discussed three action items to minimize violations against your client’s due process rights. To close 2018, here are the remaining action items
Great Interpreter vs. Good Interpreter
November 12, 2018
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I have a few pet peeves to discuss. Sometimes I run into exceptional interpreters who have some terrible habits; I also run into good interpreters
Gratefulness = Contentment = Great Business
November 3, 2018
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Over time, I have come to identify two types of people. The person who tends to dwell on negative things and the positive person. Negative
Six Action Items You Can Do to Limit Due Process Rights Violations in Court
October 29, 2018
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South Carolina has become a larger melting pot since the 1990s. Today in Spartanburg, there is a decent Russian language community. In Laurens, there are
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