Ability to interpret properly essential
By Dorette De Swart - 31 March 2014
WITH reference to “Don’t blame the interpreter” from Dee, Jeffreys Bay in Thursday’s The Herald, I doubt if even she knows what gobbledygook she wrote about this matter. These interpreters lack language and job skills necessary for the job.
Your scenario means that all witnesses, no matter which of the 11 languages they are comfortable with, must give their evidence in English.
Some of the witnesses, including policemen, were so frustrated with the interpreter that they kindly changed over to English. That situation could possibly result in a miscarriage of justice due to misunderstandings by the various court officials, including the judge and witness.
- Fred Rogers, Port Elizabeth
