Recognised languages
The justice system supports a vast range of spoken languages and dialects, as well as visual and tactile communication services. For the current lists of recognised languages, dialects and visual and tactile services available through a specific provider, please use the following links to the Language Providers.
[Language Provider 1 name and link] · [Language Provider 2 name and link].
Glossary
Below are explanations of terms commonly used across the language services and quality assurance process. We aim to keep this in plain English.
- Assessment
- A structured check of an interpreter’s or translator’s work, carried out by The Language Shop to assure its quality.
- Booking
- A request for a language professional to attend or support a specific appointment or proceeding.
- Commissioning Body
- An organisation within the justice system that books and uses language services (for example a court or tribunal).
- Development Plan
- A formal document produced following an assessment where corrective and developmental actions are recommended to enable the interpreter to address identified performance gaps.
- Individual Assessment
- A scheduled quality assessment carried out by roleplay, resembling a typical MoJ related scenario.
- Interpreter
- A professional who conveys spoken or signed communication from one language into another.
- Language Provider
- An organisation contracted to supply language services; The Language Shop assures the quality of their interpreters and translators.
- Planned Assessment
- A scheduled quality assessment carried out during a live booking.
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- The independent process of checking and assuring that services meet the required standards.
- Translation
- Converting written text from one language into another.
- Transcription
- Producing a written record of spoken material.
- Visual and Tactile Services (V&T)
- Communication services such as British Sign Language for people who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.