What do you think of when you think of an interpreter?

A tour guide on a trip, translating the language of another country? Someone who works at the United Nations in international diplomacy? Maybe someone interpreting for the hearing impaired at a public event?

These are the kinds of things I used to envision whenever I heard the word "interpreter:" all are someone with whom I do not have regular contact. But I'm beginning to see the need for my own personal, full time interpreter.

Our society, even in rural areas, is rapidly becoming multicultural and multilingual. Spanish and Asian language signs are popping up everywhere. In my work at the courthouse, we have a full time Spanish interpreter. And we have interpreters available for the hearing impaired and for 25 languages other than …