From becoming an interpreter to adhering to a code of conduct: The standing of legal interpreters in Belgium and Hungary

Abstract Legal interpreting involves helping people who speak different languages and hold different roles in the legal hierarchy to communicate in legal settings. Each legal system has unique processes, terms and concepts that may not exist in other languages, leading to significant challenges for interpreters. To perform well, legal interpreters need a strong understanding of legal terminology. They also have ethical responsibilities and face communication challenges arising from cultural differences. Therefore, legal interpreters need specialised training, both in general interpreting skills and in the specifics of legal interpretation (Stern, 2011). The professionalisation of legal interpreting in the EU was initiated by Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, adopted on 20 October 2010. This directive deals specifically with the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. The key points of the directive are implemented in different ways and to varying degrees in the member states. This study compares the cases of Belgium and Hungary with regard to the legal status of legal interpreters, official registers, codes of conduct, training and certification, and fixed rates for interpreters. The results show that, depending on the language background and needs of the two EU member states, the implementation of the directive can lead to different outcomes.