Digital-Voice-Recorder-Assisted Deposition Interpreting

When interpreting at depositions and other legal settings where accurate, nearly word-for-word interpretation of a testimony is crucial, relying solely on memory and note-taking may not be sufficient. Problems include: 1) stream-of-consciousness testimonies where the witness simply would not stop speaking, 2) the witness launching into an explanation of a word that the interpreter asked to repeat, thereby creating a need to interpret the explanation itself for the record, and 3) the lead interpreter and check interpreter not agreeing on what the witness had actually said. Having a clear recording of the testimony that can be instantly played back as the interpreter begins his/her interpretation, now in simultaneous mode, can be invaluable. This session will touch upon some published studies that show the benefits of this method, while also sharing some real-world experiences through years of practicing this method. If time allows, volunteers will be called upon to help demonstrate the method using a digital-voice recorder.