(Not) Lost in Translation: Navigating Language Access and Cultural Competency Issues in the Courtroom

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(Not) Lost in Translation: Navigating Language Access and Cultural Competency Issues in the Courtroom

Originally Presented Friday, October 1, 2021 

To have meaningful access to the court system, whether in family, criminal, or civil court, people must be understood. In court, witnesses might use lingo, an expression, or a dialect whose true meaning is not understood by the judge, court personnel, or jurors who don’t come from the same neighborhoods or communities. This gap in comprehension can easily go undetected and lead to the inaccurate transcription of testimony (as suggested by a recent linguistics study), misinterpretation, or even erroneous fact-finding.

This panel will address the use of dialect and expressions by parties and witnesses in judicial proceedings, complications that arise due to language differences and diverse cultural norms, and remedies that we can use to help ensure that a speaker’s true meaning and the credibility of their testimony are not lost in translation or interpretation.

Panelists:
Hon. Kai N. Scott
Court of Common Pleas, Trial Division – Criminal
First Judicial District

Qawi Abdul-Rahman, Esq.
Law Offices of Qawi Abdul-Rahman

Priscilla E. Jimenez, Esq.
Kline & Specter

Cassie Owens
Modern Life Reporter
Philadelphia Media Network, Philly.com, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philadelphia Daily News

Rodolfo P. "Rudy" Téllez
National Board-Certified Medical Interpreter
Pennsylvania Court Certified Interpreter
Faculty and Coordinator, Interpreter and Translation Master’s program La Salle University

0059ODV