CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Simultaneous Mode of Interpretation This mode of interpretation was never used, except for a few minutes at the end, when statement were confused and the Court and counsel wanted to clarify answer. Detailed Analysis section - Simultaneous Between 35:20 and 37:30, simultaneous was used with accuracy and completeness. Consecutive Mode of Interpretation Rendition lack accuracy, completeness, normalization and proper syntax. Major Spanish grammar issues were noticed. Uncalled interaction and untimely addressing the Court lacking professionalism was noticed in a number of instances detailed below under -protocol-. Lack of knowledge of basic legal terminology caused abrupt pauses and hesitations. The interpreter engaged in a conversation with the respondent to clarify the original message. She did this often. It appears that this interpreter is used to engaging in these types of interaction with the respondent. It is possible that she is also an interpreter in an indigenous language, where the interaction between the interpreter and the respondent needs to be very active since many legal concepts do not exist in the indigenous cultures and holding these type of interactions with the respondent is absolutely necessary. However, Spanish is a language that has direct transfer to many legal terms. Therefore, the interpreter should have taken a more formal approach and used the proper legal terminology. Detailed Analysis section Consecutive C: The Court; A: Attorney; R: Respondent; I: Interpreter 00:40 C: is Spanish the language that you speak and understand best? I: Es su español el idioma que entiende mejor? Correct: Es el idioma español el que mejor usted habla y entiende? Comments: Accuracy and completeness 00:52 C: For the recording, too I: Por el grabación también Version 12 April 2016 Page 1 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
Comments: Basic Spanish gramar - Gender SOSi - EOIR INTERPRETER HEARING 02:03 C: Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I: Usted jura que su testimonio sea verídica (sound like virídica), que su testimonio sea verídico en todo? Correct: Jura o protesta que su declaración será la verdad, toda la verdad y solamente la verdad? Comment: Basic legal structure and major Spanish grammar issues. 02:37 C: have you reviewed your application for relief? I: Distracted for a couple of seconds I am sorry, Your Honor, I was Judge repeats question and interpreter delivers accurately Comments: Lack of focus. 06:54 A: Good afternoon Pedro I: silent Accurate: Buenas tardes, Pedro A: What country are you a citizen off? I: Silent. Correct: De qué país es usted ciudadano? I: Excuse me, Your Honor, would you like me to do a simultaneous or consecutive or whatever is convenient? I wasn t clear on that. Comments: Addressing the Court was unnecessary. Terms like -whatever- and the general demeanor to address the Court were inappropriate. Judge agrees that simultaneous would be fine. However, interpreter proceeds in consecutive 08:30 A: Green Card I: Tarjeta verde Correct: Cédula de inmigrante, mica (slang) Comments: Immigration terminology 09:15 A: Your wife I: Su esposa R: Mi esposa? I: Si, su esposa Correct: My wife? Version 12 April 2016 Page 2 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
Comment: Interpreter engages in a communication with the respondent, failing to deliver request for clarification. 09:18 R: Ana Quiles I: Anaquiles C: Request clarification I: OK, whatever is the last name of his wife, Your Honor. Comment: Unnecessary and inappropriate manner to address the Court, with terms like -OK_ and - whatever-. Tone was not professional in a court setting. 11:28 R: (uttering children s names) Sebian I: Celio, Sergio I: Excuse me, Your Honor. His accent is (huffing due to frustration) C: OK, We will go by the application Comments: Interpreter is inappropriate, not following the following protocol, expressing huffing and grunting due to frustration with a very patient Judge. 12:06 R: Con la mamá I: With their mother Correct: With their Mom Comments: Register 17:25 R: 1725 Bridge Street, Philadelphia I: Ugh, uff, I am sorry, Your Honor, he is giving some street in Philadelphia Correct: 1725 Bridge Street, Philadelphia Comment: If statement is not understood, advise the Court and request clarification with no sound or gesture of frustration. 14:39 A: How? Very briefly tell the Court I: How? Would you briefly tell the Court Correct: Cómo? Dígala a la Juez brevemente. Comment: Rendition kept in the original language. 15:06 R: Cuando está enfermo (child) I: Cómo? Facebook (laughing). R: Enfermo I: Facebook? No entiendo, a ver (Laughing) Cómo se deletrea eso? R: enfermo, cuando se siente mal I: Oh, when he is sick Version 12 April 2016 Page 3 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
Comment: A display of lack of professionalism. Court does not admonish interpreter to refrain from laughing or engaging in a long interaction with the respondent in a language other than English. 17:22 R: Ella está estudiando, sí I: She is studying, yes Correct: She attends school Comment: Lack of normalization affects verb tense and clarity of the message 19:46 A: in one year I: Normalmente Correct: In one year, during one year Comment; Inaccuracy 22:36 A: Criminal offense I: (Long pause) Antecedentes penales <this means criminal record> Correct: Delito Comment: Basic legal terminology 22:55 R: Arma de fuego sin licencia (Describing reason for arrest) I: Manejar falsa R: No, arma I: Uy, perdone! Me cuesta.es por el acento R: Un arma de fuego, usarla sin licencia, por usar el arma de fuego I: Alma de.. R: Arma de fuego I: Oh, arma. Forgive me, Your Honor. His accent, I am not used to. So, I am having a little trouble sometimes J: Thank you for your patience I: He said he did not have a license to use a firearm. That is what he was arrested for Correct: Using a firearm without a license Comment: Personal comments and inappropriate manner to address the Court. 24:08 A: You were convicted for the criminal offense I: Y usted fue condenado en este caso <this means: And you were convicted in this case> Correct: Y a usted lo hallaron culpable de este delito Comment: Inaccuracy. Legal terminology. 24:30 R: Armería (Place where he purchased gun) I: Almaría, almería R; Donde venden armas Version 12 April 2016 Page 4 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
I: In a store, a shop Correct: Gun Shop Comment: Lack of regular terminology and inappropriate interaction with respondent. 24:43 R: (Describing type of gun) Una 358 I: 354 R: 358, no perdón, una 357 Interpreter then clarified accurately 25:03 A: Was a gun or a machine gun? I: Esta era una arma a mano o automática? Correct: Era esta una pistola o una ametralladora? Comment: Basic legal firearms terminology and Spanish syntax (it is un arma, not una arma). 29:08 A: did you have the gun with you? I: Tuvo la arma con usted? Correct: Tenía el arma con usted? Comments: Major grammar issues. 30:09 A; Are you still on probation? I: Todavía está en probatoria, en tiempo probatorio? Correct: Aún está bajo el régimen de condena condicional? 30:52 A: Have you violated probation? I: Ha violado la probatoria? Correct: Ha incumplido usted los requisitos de la condena condicional? 31:12 A: It is wrong to have a firearm without a license I: Es un crimen tener una arma de fuego sin licencia Correct: Es incorrecto tener un arma de fuego sin la licencia para tal Comments: Inaccuracy on basic terminology and grammar issues 32:16 R: Solamente tengo eso I: That was my only arrest, my only crime Correct: I just have that Comments: Unnecessary, major embellishment 34:25 Version 12 April 2016 Page 5 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
A: You presented the lease for 1725 Bridge Street I: Usted está rentando ese lugar que.. Correct: Usted presentó el contrato de arrendamiento para la propiedad en la calle Bridge Street, No. 1725 Comments: Inability to retain factual information in a 8 term segment 34:44 A: Lease I: Lease (same language) el acuerdo de renta Corrrect: contrato de arrendamiento Comments: Basic legal terminology. 44:54 I: I guess he means that his sister rented to him (After a long interaction with respondent) Terminology, Style and Courtroom Protocol Lack of knowledge of basic legal terminology and structures that should be delivered with no hesitation i.e. oath, had significant issues. These terms were either omitted, rendered inaccurately or caused a major hesitation or abrupt stop. There were recurring issues with terms like -to file and application- that was delivered like -hacer solicitud- throughout the proceedings. Verb conjugation often was wrong i.e. -estuvo- instead of -estaba- There were several breaches of protocol, as stated in the Detailed Analysis section in the following times: 07:05, 11:8, 14:39, 15:06, 22:55, and 35:19. In the above instances, interpreter expressed frustration through huffing, utterances like ugh, laughing a few times during a segment and addressing the Court untimely and with inappropriate terms like - whatever and OK-. Recommendations It is recommended that interpreter reviews legal and regular terminology, verbs and reinforce their usage through consistent practice. Version 12 April 2016 Page 6 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305
The interpreter should also improve her Spanish syntax and grammar. It is also suggested that she works on accuracy and focus on the proceedings, avoiding getting distracted. Interactions with any witness should be avoided, unless Court is advised accordingly. Finally, interpreter should review ethics and protocol in the courtroom thoroughly to prevent creating any disruption in the court proceedings and admonishments from the presiding judge. Version 12 April 2016 Page 7 of 7 RECORDING ID: FTI_SP_100305