More than 30 staff members of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration are in training to improve English to Samoan translations for court matters.

MJCA Chief Executive Officer Papalii John Taimalelagi told Samoa Observer that the training is basically for all translators of criminal and civil courts.

He said correct translations ensure that the legal rights of people are protected and those tasked to do translations were doing an important task.

Facilitated by a former senior staff member of MJCA, Lio Heinrich Siemsen, Papalii said the staff members were lucky enough to get training from Lio who used to work for the court.

"Translating is a very important task in court at all times, which is why this training is conducted so that all translators of criminal and civil courts will get a better understanding of methods to improve on this very important role in court," he said.

"There is also an opportunity for any court staff member who wishes to attend the training so that they will get the benefit of getting a better understanding of how to translate court matters."

He said he hopes that after this training all the translators in court will be expert translators and make sure they are assisting the members of the public who are coming for their court matters.

"This role of a translator is a unique task and is not taught in any university or special schools," Papalii said.

He acknowledged the Pacific Judicial Sector Programme (PJSP) for funding such useful training.

The training which started on Monday aims to give new ideas and improve translations of criminal and civil courts. The training ends on Friday.

amata aso gafua- auaunaga faamatala upu- tomai faapitoa e le aotauina i ni iunivesete aemaise atunuu pe a autovaa atu i faamasinoga....