Interpreting in legal contexts: Consecutive and simultaneous interpretation.

摘要

A comparative analysis was undertaken examining the accuracy of American Sign Language/English (ASL/English) interpreting provided in legal contexts, contrasting simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Four mock trials were conducted with four ASL/English interpreters. Interpreters worked in teams of two, and participated in three courtroom events: the entering of direct evidence, the cross-examination of the witness and the entering of expert testimony. Interpreters chosen for the study met the criteria of the study and were counter balanced for experience interpreting. Other courtroom participants included judges, lawyers, an expert witness and two Deaf witnesses. The interpretation was videotaped and a sociolinguistic analysis performed on the data to determine its accuracy. All participants participated in post-trial interviews.; Trials with consecutive interpreting were significantly different from the trials using simultaneous interpreting. The consecutive mode demonstrated a greater degree of accuracy than simultaneous. Post-trial interviews revealed themes such as simultaneous interpreting was preferred by lawyers, especially during cross-examination, and judges supported the need for education about how to work effectively with Deaf participants.; It was concluded that the nature of courtroom events require that interpreters know how and when to use simultaneous and consecutive interpreting in order to provide the most accurate interpretation possible to the Court. The implication for interpreters, lawyers, judges and Deaf participants is to examine current interpreting practices and develop and implement guidelines that support accurate interpretation, and full inclusion of Deaf people in the judicial process. The results also have implications for interpreter education programs and professional associations, in terms of identifying whether interpreters are receiving appropriate training in the use of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, and the specific training necessary for legal environments.