@Linguist_CIOL
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 13
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use my discretion to decide which details
counted as 'graphic'. I also had to maintain a
composed front throughout, which was far
from easy because, unlike my client, I was
hearing all of the traumatic details surrounding
the death and the events leading up to it for
the first time.
Interpreting was difficult where witnesses
were distressed, their voices barely audible at
times. The last thing I wanted to do was to
ask the judge for permission to request
repetition, but it was important that my
interpreting was as accurate as possible.
Another difficulty was caused by a family
friend, who had come along to give moral
support but who was seemingly unable to
resist reinterpreting what I had already
interpreted. He chatted during the hearing
so that I (and family members) sometimes
missed what was being said, and gave them
(often incorrect) legal advice during the
breaks. When it became clear that he was
determined to ignore my polite requests to
desist from interpreting, I brought the issue
to the attention of the judge, who could and
should have nipped the problem in the bud
much sooner.
Emotional exhaustion
It was heartbreaking to see the family's
growing acceptance that it was suicide,
and not accident, that was the cause of
death. At the outset they were adamant
that this could not be correct, but their
opposition visibly crumpled as the oral
evidence gradually unfolded. From then on,
the number of times I was required to
interpret their questions and comments
declined dramatically.
At the end of the day, I was exhausted
mentally and emotionally, despite several
short refreshment and comfort breaks. The
judge had constantly pushed for the case to
be concluded by 5pm – presumably because
the family had flights booked that night, so
there was no option of adjourning until the
next day. Given the number of witnesses, a
two-day hearing might have made my job
easier, but it would have prolonged the
agony for the family.
As I stepped out of the court building into
the driving rain, I tried to rally myself on a job
well done in difficult circumstances. I watched
my clients getting into a taxi knowing that
they were leaving their son in England for the
last time and fought an unprofessional desire
to hug them. I will never forget them or their
son. The real test of how well an assignment
has gone is normally whether the interpreter
would be willing to accept a similar job in the
future. So would I accept another inquest job
like this one? No, probably not.
It was far from easy
because, unlike my
client, I was hearing all
of the traumatic details
for the first time
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