LANGUAGE WITHOUT LIMITS: AI AND THE HUMAN TOUCH

There are moments when being understood is not a courtesy, but a lifeline.

Interpreters and translators are present for some of life’s most consequential conversations, yet the depth and complexity of their work are too often unseen. In this keynote, Attorney Grace Chehoud Vangelo draws on more than two decades in the justice system to invite a deeper reflection on language, trust, ethics, dignity, and the human need to be understood.

At a time when communication is increasingly fast, automated, and fragmented, this session asks what must remain unmistakably human when one person’s story passes through another’s voice.

Grace Chehoud Vangelo has built a career at the intersection of language, law, and public service. Her professional journey has given her a rare perspective on the justice system from multiple vantage points: as a certified court interpreter in Pennsylvania’s trial courts, a public defender in Lehigh County, a linguist analyst with the Drug Enforcement Administration, an intelligence analyst with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and now as Senior Manager of Legal Services at Johnson & Johnson, where she leads strategic legal initiatives supporting a global legal organization. She also teaches Legal Research and Writing at Cedar Crest College, helping prepare the next generation of legal professionals.
Grace earned her J.D. from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, pursued graduate studies in Romance Languages and Literature at Villanova University, and received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from Moravian College.
Across every chapter of her career, one conviction has remained constant: justice depends not only on the rule of law, but on the ability of every person to be heard, understood, and treated with dignity. That belief continues to shape her work and is at the heart of her keynote, exploring the indispensable role interpreters and translators play in ensuring meaningful access to justice.

The Dunning–Kruger Effect—where individuals overestimate their abilities due to limited self-awareness—can pose challenges for professionals who rely on accurate self-evaluation to improve their skills. This workshop examines how the concept applies to interpreting practice and introduces structured methods for assessing performance more objectively. Participants will work with exercises in simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation modes while applying techniques designed to help bridge the gap between perceived and actual skill. Through guided self-audit and analysis of common “trap” structures that may lead to language interference, attendees will explore strategies for identifying errors, improving accuracy, and strengthening professional performance. This hands-on session encourages reflective practice and provides interpreters with practical tools to evaluate their work more critically and refine their interpreting techniques across multiple modes. Participants should bring a recording device, headphones, and writing materials for note-taking and exercises

Agustín Servín de la Mora is the President of the Florida Institute of Interpretation and Translation. He was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, and has been a professional interpreter for the last 22 years, both as a freelance and staff interpreter. Mr. de la Mora is a Supervisor Rater for the National Center for State Courts and has been a Lead Rater for the federal and consortium oral exams for court interpreters. He was the Lead Interpreter for the Ninth Judicial Circuit for over a decade, is a member of the Florida Court Interpreter Certification Board and a voting member of the Technical Committee of the National Consortium for Interpreter Certification. Mr. de la Mora is certified by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as a Federally Certified Court Interpreter. He is also a Certified Court interpreter by the Florida Court Interpreter Certification Board and a Certified Medical Interpreter by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. He has been a consultant for the Administrative Offices of the State Courts, conducting orientation seminars and advanced skills workshops for interpreters in many states including Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. As a recognized professional in his field, he has been featured as a speaker and presenter in several national conventions, including the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators, the American Translators Association and the National Association of State Court Administrators.

Interpreters routinely navigate differences in register, yet they may be less familiar with the relationship between register, dialect, linguistic code, and code-switching. This interactive presentation explores the rich diversity of English and challenges the notion that there is a single “correct” way to speak it. Through examples drawn from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Indian English, Southern English and other varieties, participants will examine how different linguistic codes function and why understanding them is essential for effective interpreting.

Combining discussion, multimedia, and hands-on exercises, this session encourages participants to think critically about language variation and to develop practical strategies for interpreting meaning faithfully across different varieties of English.

Ric Dominguez is a federally certified Spanish court interpreter with the Federal Defenders of San Diego and a California Certified Court Interpreter with more than a decade of experience interpreting in state and federal courts. Prior to joining the Federal Defenders, he served as a staff interpreter for the San Bernardino Superior Court, where he interpreted thousands of criminal, civil, and family law proceedings.

In addition to his work in the courtroom, Ric is an adjunct instructor of Community Interpreting and the founder of InterpGenius, an educational platform dedicated to interpreter training and continuing education. He regularly develops and teaches courses on legal interpreting, ethics, linguistics, and emerging issues affecting the interpreting profession. Ric also coaches candidates preparing for the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE).

Beyond the courtroom, Ric is a sought-after conference interpreter who has served as the preferred Spanish interpreter for California State Senators Richard D. Roth, Susan Rubio, and Sabrina Cervantes during community meetings, town halls, and public outreach events, facilitating communication between elected officials and the communities they serve.

Ric has a longstanding interest in sociolinguistics and language variation, particularly the ways dialects, linguistic codes, and code-switching influence communication in legal settings. His presentations encourage interpreters to move beyond viewing language as a simple substitution of words and instead focus on faithfully conveying meaning across cultures, dialects, and communicative contexts.

A.I. Interpretation on Zoom: Demo and Discussion
Zoom´s new A.I. “Voice Translation” feature is live with interpretation between English, French, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. Come see it in action and join colleagues to discuss its strengths and weaknesses, what it means for the future of our work in legal and medical settings, and how to talk to clients who propose using A.I. interpretation as a substitute for human interpreters.

Ernest Niño-Murcia is a freelance interpreter based in Des Moines, Iowa. Both state and federally certified, he has interpreted legal proceedings and prepared translations, transcriptions and expert witness reports/testimony for clients in the private and public sectors.

At a time when communication is increasingly fast, automated, and fragmented, this session asks what must remain unmistakably human when one person’s story passes through another’s voice.

Néstor Wagner is a nationally recognized expert in interpreter training and a pioneer in leveraging technology to advance the field. He is the Founder and Director of the Southern California School of Interpretation, known for producing top-tier certified interpreters across legal, medical, and immigration settings. With a Master’s in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering, Wagner brings a unique precision to interpreter education. He is also the visionary behind Knowi.ai, SCSI’s innovative AI-powered platform designed to support and elevate language professionals. Through decades of leadership and technological innovation, Wagner has reshaped interpreter education across the United States for the modern age.

Linguistic interpretation and ekphrasis share a mediating function: both transform what is spoken or perceived into a form accessible to another audience. In the courtroom, however, mediation carries profound ethical responsibility. The certified court interpreter must facilitate accurate, complete, and impartial communication while preserving the meaning, tone, register, and intent of the original speaker. Historical Context: La Malinche The historical figure of La Malinche (c. 1509–c. 1529) offers a compelling lens through which to examine the power of intercultural mediation. Her role extended beyond language, requiring her to navigate cultural frameworks and negotiate meaning between peoples with profoundly different languages and worldviews. Her legacy illustrates both the power of linguistic mediation and the responsibility that goes with it. Ethical Boundaries in Court Interpretation For the modern court interpreter, this power is constrained by professional ethics. The interpreter does not advocate, explain, summarize, or alter a speaker’s words. Ethical practice demands: Accuracy, Completeness, Impartiality, Confidentiality and, Professional competence. These principles establish the boundaries within which interpretation occurs and protect the integrity of judicial proceedings. Challenges in the Digital Age The digital age introduces new complexities. Remote proceedings, artificial intelligence, automated transcription, and real-time interpretation technologies expand access to language services while raising questions about accuracy, confidentiality, security, and professional accountability. Technology may assist the interpreter, but it cannot replace ethical judgment or cultural awareness. The Speaking Gaze The “speaking gaze” represents a central paradox of interpretation: the interpreter is present in the communication process while remaining restrained from becoming part of the message. The interpreter stands between languages and cultures without allowing personal beliefs or judgments to influence the proceeding. Conclusion In an increasingly globalized and digitally connected justice system, ethical interpretation is essential to meaningful access to justice. To interpret responsibly is not simply to speak another person’s language; it is to ensure that another person’s voice is heard without the interpreter’s own voice eclipsing it.

Yiny Cuccia, M.A., is a Miami-based, Spanish-English court-certified interpreter with extensive experience across state-level courts, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) proceedings, and community interpretation environments. A dedicated advocate for the profession, she also enjoys helping as a mentor for aspiring interpreters, supporting the next generation of professionals as they prepare for state certification examinations.

Business Basics for New Interpreters
Interpreters must master complex vocabulary and skills to be able to begin working in court. But what do they need to get work and keep clients happy? This session will discuss topics as diverse as marketing, scheduling, billing, accounting, equipment, networking, and much more to equip participants with the skills and resources they need to launch and grow their business.

This interactive skill-building session is designed to strengthen consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills in the context of criminal proceedings. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the criminal justice process while practicing techniques for managing legal terminology, complex language, register, tone, and pace. Through guided exercises and realistic scenarios, participants will develop strategies to improve accuracy, completeness, and delivery while maintaining impartiality and preserving the integrity of the record.

Interpreters and translators are present for some of life’s most consequential conversations, yet the depth and complexity of their work are too often unseen. In this keynote, Attorney Grace Chehoud Vangelo draws on more than two decades in the justice system to invite a deeper reflection on language, trust, ethics, dignity, and the human need to be understood.

Katty Kauffman is a conference and legal interpreter, translator, consultant, and educator with more than twenty years of experience in multilingual communication. She is a member of AIIC, NAJIT, and TAALS, and is a Federally Certified Court Interpreter and former staff interpreter with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Katty has worked extensively with U.S. federal courts, government agencies, international organizations, and private-sector clients. Her conference interpreting experience includes assignments for the United Nations system, the U.S. Department of State, the Organization of American States, the World Bank, and international conferences throughout the Americas. She has taught conference and court interpreting for universities and professional training programs in the United States and Canada and regularly presents on emerging technologies, interpreter education, language access, and the future of the profession. Originally trained in law in Chile, she brings a distinctive perspective to the intersection of language, technology, and public policy.