Interpretation and Translation Training Programs are Key to Global Collaboration: The University of ArizonaÔÇÖs Model Approach

There can be no collaboration without robust communication. This is especially true across borders. Linguistic and cultural differences can enrich the human experience, but if they are not bridged effectively they are barriers to justice, education, commerce, healthcare, and other major societal institutions. Too often, efforts to bridge the gap between two languages and cultures are ad hoc, piecemeal, and begun too late, if they are undertaken at all. Increasingly, however, the need to provide language services through highly qualified interpreters and translators is being recognized. It is the task of institutes of higher education to meet this need. The University of Arizona’s National Center for Interpretation has several interrelated interpreting and translating programs which develop these skills at the secondary, postsecondary, and professional levels. These programs introduce and develop practical, real-world knowledge and skills necessary to close the linguistic and cultural divides. We will discuss the University of Arizona’s specific secondary, postsecondary and professional programs, as well as ways in which they can be used as tools or models by other individuals and institutions.