Edge 21: An Interpreter's Edge for the 21st Century

Each of the three component products addresses one of the three modes of interpreting used in court interpretation and tested in major court interpretation certification exams. Together, these three products provide a complete set of materials to practice the techniques of Spanish-English court interpreting.

These materials are suitable for use both by individuals seeking to acquire or improve court interpreting skills on their own and by college level court interpreter training programs.

Virtually all home stereos and auto stereos have a balance control. Typically, boom boxes and small personal stereos do not. If you are using a personal stereo, use the headphones as described below. The CDs of the Edge 21 set are not suitable for use on a boom box, unless it allows you to turn off the speakers and use headphones instead.

Whenever you are asked to interpret, the material to be interpreted will be heard only on the left channel of your stereo. The right channel will contain an interpretation done by Holly Mikkelson.

Thus, when you are practicing your own interpretation, you should have your stereo’s balance control turned all the way to the left, or put on your stereo headphones in such a way that only the left ear piece is actually over/in your ear.

In the case of consecutive interpretation, you will hear the question or answer to be interpreted, followed by a silence. The length of the silence is the time it takes Holly to interpret the question or answer, plus two seconds. You should try to fit your interpretation into that period of silence. If you need more time at first, you can always use the Pause button on your CD player to stop the CD and give yourself more time. In the case of simultaneous interpretation, you will simply hear the source material continuously on the left channel.

When you later want to hear how Holly interpreted the same material, you can replay the lesson with the balance control centered, or with your headphones covering both ears. This distinction between the left and right channels is made only when you are asked to interpret. Material that you are not to interpret is heard on both channels.