About NAJIT
The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators is a professional association that was first chartered as a non-profit organization under New York State laws, and incorporated as the Court Interpreters and Translators Association, Inc. (CITA) in 1978.
Ever since NAJIT was founded, its mission has been to be a leader in promoting quality interpretation and translation services in the judicial system. Our members are mindful of the importance that their services may have in assuring due process and adequate legal representation, as provided for by the 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution.
NAJIT's members are bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities promulgated by the Association to advance the highest quality services in the Judiciary.
Members are encouraged continually to upgrade their skills, and to share their knowledge and expertise with the members of the profession and allied professions involved in education and the administration of justice.
NAJIT now has over 1200 members, including practicing interpreters and translators as well as educators, researchers, students and administrators. While most of the NAJIT membership is in the U.S, we also have members in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Anyone who has an interest in court interpreting is welcome to join.
The purposes of the Association are:
- To promote professional standards of performance and integrity.
- To achieve wider recognition for the profession of judiciary interpretation and translation.
- To advocate training and certification of interpreters through competent and reliable methodologies.
- To advance the highest quality services.
- To encourage greater interchange among active judiciary interpreters and translators.
- To make the public and the judicial community aware of the unique role and function of interpreters and translators in the legal system.
To achieve these objectives, NAJIT holds periodic meetings; publishes a quarterly newsletter, Proteus, as well as glossaries, manuals, and other publications; offers workshops and seminars to constantly challenge its members to continue their education and training; sends representatives to university programs and institutes for court interpreters to learn and to share experiences; sponsors presentations at national meetings of other interpreters and translators associations and related professions; provides this Web site; and conducts other activities designed to promote the general welfare of the Association and its members.
Membership Benefits
NAJIT's activities are supported by
membership dues and member donations. While there are no formal requirements for
joining other than an interest in legal interpreting and/or translation, most of
our members hold professional credentials such as federal and/or state court
interpreter certification, national judiciary interpreter and translator
certification by NAJIT, interpreter certification by RID (Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf), translator certification by ATA (American
Translators Association), approval by the US Department of State (for escort,
seminar or conference interpreting) and/or other credentialing by government
agencies or international organizations.
Anyone who shares NAJIT's interests and objectives is welcome to join. Our
membership categories are: Active, Associate, Corporate and Corporate Sponsor,
Organizational and Student. Please see description of membership categories and
fees below.
The benefits of membership are many. When you join, you will enjoy, among other things:
- Full Listing in NAJIT’s Online Membership Directory
- Subscription to Proteus, NAJIT’s quarterly newsletter dedicated to court interpretation and legal translation
- Subscription to CyberNews, NAJIT’s automatic email updates on training opportunities, meetings and other matters of professional interest
- NAJIT Position Papers on topics of critical interest to the profession
- Electronic access to NAJIT publications, including archived materials available at the Members’ Portal
- Right to use the NAJIT logo on your business card
- Access to reduced-rate language specific interpreting and translation skills-building workshops in Spanish and other languages, including certification testing preparation courses
- Reduced-rate access to required continuing education sessions
- Reduced-rate registration for NAJIT conferences, regional and local workshops
- Right to vote and hold office (active members only)
- Opportunities for committee membership and participation in NAJIT special projects
- Opportunity to chair committees and be actively involved in NAJIT decision-making and long-term planning
- Participation in NAJIT’s lively and informative members’ listserv where members share expertise, information and resources, exchange terminology, discuss transcription and translation standards, and confer on ethical and professional dilemmas and association matters
- Active involvement in state and national legislative matters and issues affecting the interpreting and translating community
- Opportunity to present at NAJIT conferences, workshops and training events
- Networking and collegial relationships
- Participation in a national and international network of professionals
- Access to employment opportunities posted on the website and through special bulletins
Dues may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense to the extent permitted under IRS Code.
