The role of interpreters and translators in legal settings is very important but often not given the attention it deserves. In Ireland, legal interpreting is not regulated, which means unqualified interpreters can sometimes cause problems in court cases. Karolina Jarmołowska has researched this issue in depth and found that using unqualified interpreters can actually change the course of justice.
Before we begin…
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In this blog post, we will explore Jarmołowska’s study, which shows how important it is to have qualified interpreters in legal settings. The study is based on real cases and academic research, and it highlights the problems that can occur when interpreters are not trained properly.
We will explain the legal frameworks that govern police and court interpreting in Ireland, and we will look at how witness statements are translated and used in court. We will also examine the details that can get lost or changed in translation.
This study is important because it shows how language barriers can affect the outcome of court cases. It highlights the need for better regulation of legal interpreting in Ireland. This blog post will encourage people to think more about the importance of interpreters and translators in legal settings and the need to be properly trained and regulated.
Background of the Study
Karolina Jarmołowska, a researcher from Dublin City University, has been exploring a very important question: How does the accuracy of interpretation and translation in legal settings affect the outcome of a criminal trial in Ireland? Her research focuses on the lack of regulation for police and court interpreters in Ireland, who play a crucial role in conveying the statements of non-native speakers involved in legal proceedings.
Jarmołowska’s research is focused on the pre-trial process, particularly the stage where witness statements are recorded with the help of interpreters. These statements are often pivotal to the direction of a trial and are subject to the accuracy and integrity of the translation process. Even a small error in translation can drastically alter the meaning and impact of these statements.
Jarmołowska analyzed witness statements taken at Irish Garda stations and critically examined their translation into Polish to understand the implications of this lack of oversight. She used a translation quality assessment model to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the translations. Through her research, she aims to uncover the nuances of language and interpretation that can sway the outcomes of legal proceedings.
Jarmołowska’s work highlights the pressing need for regulatory reforms in the legal interpreting and translation field in Ireland. Her research aims to initiate a conversation on the importance of qualified and skilled interpreters in upholding the integrity of the legal process. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into Jarmołowska’s findings and explore how the intricacies of language and translation influence the path of justice in Ireland.
