An autoethnographic study on linguistic-communicative challenges and myths of court interpreting

Abstract

The role of the interpreter is to facilitate understanding between two or more persons who do not share the same language. In the legal system, that understanding requires accuracy, completeness, impartiality, and maintaining the same register when applicable, delivery style, and tone. The right to understand proceedings is inherent to a fair trial. The interpreter’s responsibility is to place the judge, jury, defendant, and witnesses in the same linguistic position so that all parties can receive the information and have a similar linguistic comprehension of what has been said throughout the process. This dissertation is an autoethnographic study of a career in interpreting, and it intends to serve as a mentoring tool for future aspiring interpreters. As such, I initially present an overview of court interpreting within the US federal justice system. In the literature review, I provide a history of interpreting and present several mainstream theories, such as the relevance theory, implicatures and presuppositions, equivalence, and meaningful legal equivalence. These theories are the backbone of court interpreting. Then, based on Hymes’ Ethnography of Communication model, as adapted by Muriel Saville Troike, I compare consecutive interpreting with simultaneous interpreting in the federal court in Puerto Rico, as viewed by other interpreters within the communicative event. Following that, I discuss the concept of autoethnography, its theoretical framework, and methodology. I provide my background, life achievements, and career highlights within these parameters. In order to address court biculturality, court decorum and behavior, interpreter pitfalls and conundrums, and ethics in interpreting, I received input from several colleagues who answered a questionnaire. Finally, I finish this study by looking back at, and reflecting on what I have achieved, thus providing a list of recommendations for future interpreters. A number of appendices help clarify many references to federal institutions, requirements and other important information.