Court interpreters are required to formally register as language practitioners, according to Kubayi.
By Phanuel Shuma
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced that court interpreters will soon be required to register as professional language practitioners, as mandated by the South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, which came into effect in August. This announcement was made during the official launch of the Court Interpreters Robing Programme at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Minister Kubayi emphasized that this requirement will enhance the recognition of court interpreters as professional language practitioners, rather than merely as interpreters. She stated, “The Act establishes the South African Language Practitioners’ Council, which will regulate the language practice profession. This entails the necessity for registration and accreditation of practitioners. Therefore, it is a professional body that will develop and enforce ethical codes of conduct, while promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the profession, particularly for indigenous languages.”
The Minister also encouraged court interpreters to take advantage of the department’s bursary scheme to acquire additional language skills, noting that the government incurs substantial costs to engage foreign language interpreters in certain instances.
Deputy Chief Justice Dunston Mlambo urged court interpreters to regard their work as a sophisticated craft and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. He highlighted the critical role of interpreters in facilitating clear communication between court officials, complainants, and defendants during judicial proceedings. Justice Mlambo stated, “Language rights cannot be realized without skilled and impartial court interpreters. Interpreters serve as a vital link between the court and those who appear before it. Absent their expertise, the right to participate in proceedings in one’s own language remains merely a theoretical promise, which cannot be fully acknowledged or safeguarded. Any deficiencies in the role of interpreters can lead to courts having to set aside cases and recommence proceedings, thereby underscoring the essential nature of an interpreter’s proficiency.”
By Phanuel Shuma
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced that court interpreters will soon be required to register as professional language practitioners, as mandated by the South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, which came into effect in August. This announcement was made during the official launch of the Court Interpreters Robing Programme at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Minister Kubayi emphasized that this requirement will enhance the recognition of court interpreters as professional language practitioners, rather than merely as interpreters. She stated, “The Act establishes the South African Language Practitioners’ Council, which will regulate the language practice profession. This entails the necessity for registration and accreditation of practitioners. Therefore, it is a professional body that will develop and enforce ethical codes of conduct, while promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the profession, particularly for indigenous languages.”
The Minister also encouraged court interpreters to take advantage of the department’s bursary scheme to acquire additional language skills, noting that the government incurs substantial costs to engage foreign language interpreters in certain instances.
Deputy Chief Justice Dunston Mlambo urged court interpreters to regard their work as a sophisticated craft and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. He highlighted the critical role of interpreters in facilitating clear communication between court officials, complainants, and defendants during judicial proceedings. Justice Mlambo stated, “Language rights cannot be realized without skilled and impartial court interpreters. Interpreters serve as a vital link between the court and those who appear before it. Absent their expertise, the right to participate in proceedings in one’s own language remains merely a theoretical promise, which cannot be fully acknowledged or safeguarded. Any deficiencies in the role of interpreters can lead to courts having to set aside cases and recommence proceedings, thereby underscoring the essential nature of an interpreter’s proficiency.”