Booking wrong Interpreters delibarately

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Category: RPSI Reports/Opinions/Concerns
Published on 22 February 2012
Dear colleagues
 
 
ALS started booing Interpreters for languages which is not their right language or they are not registered or qualified for that specific language or dialect.
 
I don’t work for ALS but so far I have received 3 assignments’ offers for Kurdish Kirmanji which I am not qualified for, I have never done any job in this Dialect. I am a Kurdish Interpreter but for deferent dialects not for Kirmanji, and even if they have found my details on NR, I presume that they have noticed that I am not registered for this dialect. So what is the reason behind it?
 
As all of us know ALS is on the edge of its grave they started booking wrong Interpreters to send them to the authorities, when it is found out that The Interpreter is not right Interpreter for the language/dialect required then they say sorry it was a mistake, they pretend that is not shortage of Interpreters but it is a mistake.
 
 

Outraged in Peterborough magistrates'

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Category: RPSI Reports/Opinions/Concerns
Published on 22 February 2012
Written by Amber
ALS could not provide an interpreter, therefore an interpreter was provided by another agency from BIRMINGHAM - yes, BIRMINGHAM.Upon entering the court, the interpreter did not introduce herself and did not state which language she was interpreting in. Keep in mind the fact that due to a conflict of interest, there were 3 solicitors for 4 defendants - nevertheless, just one interpreter. 
 
The charge was GBH with intent: she only said 'you on purpose injured another human being.' When it came to the Crown opposing bail, NONE of the reasons as to why bail was opposed were interpreted. Every time the word evidence was used, she interpreted it as 'charge.' So, charges against you are strong instead of evidence against you is strong. When the district judge reiterated that he has substantial grounds for refusing bail, she said the judge does not think you should be let out today. And when the district judge finished by saying bail is refused, she said 'you will not be let out for money.' 
 
I am outraged that the MOJ has allowed for such a situation to happen.

I left ALS

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Category: RPSI Reports/Opinions/Concerns
Published on 22 February 2012

 I am a registered Interpreter with ALS, this was a big mistake I have ever done in my life and I have decided not to work any more with them, because:

 1. When I registered in August 2011 it was for obtaining a security clearance of GMP Greater Manchester Police, to be continue on my Interpreting work and to be able to work for other police forces other than the forces who were having agreement with ALS.  So GMP told me that they could not provide a security clearance unless I register with ALS...OK I did and started working for them between Oct. 11 until new year 2011/2012 with imposing my rates, and confirmed in writing by them.

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A Multilingual Interpreter

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Category: RPSI Reports/Opinions/Concerns
Published on 22 February 2012
Written by Yelena

I spoke to the usher in Boston Magistrates' Court last week about an ALS interpreter they had on 8th February. An Afghan-looking chap came over to interpret in Russian and Lithuanian. The usher doesn't speak Russian but she knows that £6.50 in Russian will sound other than "six pounds fifty". However, this is how this "Russian" interpreter pronounced it! Interestingly, a colleague saw the same interpreter in Lincoln Crown Court the day before when he turned up at 4 pm to interpret at a trial. Apparently he could speak 7 languages! After attempting to say 3 sentences in Russian, he sat down, then went to the office to report he had trouble with the language and departed from the court! I will let you judge about the quality of such interpreting in our courts. Compliments to ALS! 

Unqualified interpreters

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Category: RPSI Reports/Opinions/Concerns
Published on 22 February 2012
Written by interpreter

I know one person who took part in the ALS assessment and was placed in tier 3. However, all  the jobs he has accepted so far have been in tier 1. He has never had a tier 3 booking and of course he is not CRB checked.

Another friend informed me that ALS has been calling him for various bookings which he has rejected. This friend of mine was surprised when he found out that ALS had placed him in tier 2 without his knowledge. He has never taken part in the ALS assessment and ALS does not know whether he is CRB checked. We were both surprised when he was offered several tier 1 jobs and he was told that he would be paid tier 1 rates. He has refused to work for them, as he is trying to join the NRPSI.

I have reported this to the MoJ.

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