The case for Simultaneous Interpreting in the Legal SettingThe case for Simultaneous Interpreting in the Legal Setting

THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM OFFERS LANGUAGE SERVICES TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHTS OF THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM OFFERS LANGUAGE SERVICES TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHTS OF NON ENGLISH SPEAKING DEFENDANTSNON ENGLISH SPEAKING DEFENDANTS

The interpreter in this setting is required not only to provide The interpreter in this setting is required not only to provide verbatimverbatim translation, but also to adhere to the translation, but also to adhere to the tone, pauses, hesitations, emotions, and all other elements of discourse. Most interpreters working for the tone, pauses, hesitations, emotions, and all other elements of discourse. Most interpreters working for the US Federal Courts, use simultaneous interpreting to translate for a defendant, and consecutive translation US Federal Courts, use simultaneous interpreting to translate for a defendant, and consecutive translation for all other legal proceedings, including witness testimony and depositions (testimony under oath, outside for all other legal proceedings, including witness testimony and depositions (testimony under oath, outside of the courtroom).of the courtroom).

Dr. Dueñas Gonzalez (Dr. Dueñas Gonzalez (Fundamentals of Court InterpretationFundamentals of Court Interpretation) has formulated the concept of LEGAL ) has formulated the concept of LEGAL EQUIVALENCY, the notion that the message should have the same effect on the target language audience EQUIVALENCY, the notion that the message should have the same effect on the target language audience as it did on the source language audience. We propose that this is easier done by using simultaneous as it did on the source language audience. We propose that this is easier done by using simultaneous translation as the technique of choice throughout the entire legal proceeding, therefore rendering a real translation as the technique of choice throughout the entire legal proceeding, therefore rendering a real time accurate translation while permitting all eyes to still focus on the speaker, not the translator.time accurate translation while permitting all eyes to still focus on the speaker, not the translator.There are multiple barriers to accomplish this:There are multiple barriers to accomplish this:

While all Federal Courts in the U.S. provide the necessary equipment to translate for a defendant, they While all Federal Courts in the U.S. provide the necessary equipment to translate for a defendant, they haven’t  been set up to offer simultaneous translation into English. haven’t  been set up to offer simultaneous translation into English.

Deficient interpreting skills: many interpreters in practice today lack the skills necessary to use this Deficient interpreting skills: many interpreters in practice today lack the skills necessary to use this technique. technique.

Cultural barriers. Cultural barriers.

We have been using simultaneous interpreting during depositions, which allows for body We have been using simultaneous interpreting during depositions, which allows for body language to be appreciated. It is our recommendation that the simultaneous mode of language to be appreciated. It is our recommendation that the simultaneous mode of

interpreting be used in all possible legal proceedingsinterpreting be used in all possible legal proceedings . . Pablo & Diana DonattiPablo & Diana Donatti

IV Jornadas IV Jornadas sobre la Formación y Profesiónsobre la Formación y Profesión

del Traductor e Intérprete:del Traductor e Intérprete:  

Calidad y traducción - Perspectivas académicas y Calidad y traducción - Perspectivas académicas y profesionalesprofesionales

  

Universidad Europea de Madrid, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid)Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid)

  

Consecutive Interpreting in the Legal SettingConsecutive Interpreting in the Legal Setting

Problems and caveats Problems and caveats

““When questioning is done through an interpreter, When questioning is done through an interpreter, attorneys lose control over witness testimony, not only attorneys lose control over witness testimony, not only because the constant switch between languages because the constant switch between languages slows slows down the interrogation processdown the interrogation process, but also because , but also because interpreters inadvertently alter the pragmatics of questions interpreters inadvertently alter the pragmatics of questions

as tools of manipulationas tools of manipulation.”.”

• Rigney, Azucena C Rigney, Azucena C • Forensic Linguistics, 1999, 6, 1, 83-108 /Cambridge Scientific AbstractsForensic Linguistics, 1999, 6, 1, 83-108 /Cambridge Scientific Abstracts

The case for Simultaneous Interpreting:The case for Simultaneous Interpreting:A matter of styleA matter of style

Ø Real time, more accurate rendition of textual Real time, more accurate rendition of textual message.message.

Ø Allows the target audience to look at the Allows the target audience to look at the speaker, not the translator.speaker, not the translator.

Ø Enhances free flow of communication between Enhances free flow of communication between the attorney and the witness.the attorney and the witness.

Ø Lets the interpreter adhere to the tone, all Lets the interpreter adhere to the tone, all pauses, hesitations, emotions and all other pauses, hesitations, emotions and all other elements of discourse with more precision.elements of discourse with more precision.