| When it comes to legal cases, it is important that all | | | | before acting as a foreign language translator in a |
| parties understand each other and communicate well, | | | | legal case. Many states require it, but it is also |
| especially in depositions. A legal deposition is a | | | | common sense. |
| scheduled appointment where attorneys are allowed | | | | When a court reporter is present, witnesses and |
| to ask questions of the witness under oath before | | | | interpreters should be reminded not to speak when |
| the case goes to court. | | | | anyone else is speaking. This makes it easier for the |
| It helps both parties prepare their cases by knowing | | | | interpreter to relay the conversation to the witness. |
| what the basic testimony of the witnesses will be. | | | | It also makes the court reporter's job easier. They |
| Sometimes the witnesses do not speak fluent English. | | | | can only take down the testimony of one person at |
| It is very important for the witnesses and attorneys | | | | a time and must be able to hear and understand |
| to understand each other, so a professional | | | | what each person is saying in order to keep an |
| interpreter is brought in for depositions when needed. | | | | accurate record. |
| Depositions are usually recorded by professional court | | | | When an interpreter translates the question and |
| reporters. Their keystrokes are only effective for | | | | answer session between the attorneys and witness, |
| the language that the stenographer speaks. In other | | | | it must be repeated as closely in meaning as possible. |
| words, if the court reporter is taking the proceedings | | | | For example, if the attorney says, "Tell me what |
| down in English, they are unable to make phonetic | | | | time you went to the store," the incorrect translation |
| strokes of testimony being spoken in Spanish. There | | | | would be "He says to tell him what time you went to |
| are no foreign language keys on a steno machine, so | | | | the store." The proper way would be to begin with, |
| an interpreter is necessary for the court reporter's | | | | "Tell me." |
| benefit as well. | | | | The witness should simply answer the questions as |
| Ground Rules | | | | posed honestly and as straightforward as possible. |
| Here are some guidelines to follow when | | | | This is not the time to talk about the other people in |
| encountering professional translators and interpreters | | | | the room or ask the interpreter's opinion on how to |
| in depositions. If everyone follows the ground rules, it | | | | respond because they don't understand the language. |
| will make things easier to understand when viewing | | | | The translator may be asked under oath to repeat all |
| the written record. | | | | information, even if it does not pertain to the |
| The interpreter should always be sworn under oath | | | | questions. |