Feb 17, 2005

Translation vs. right to proper defence

"Ever since the trial began in the Haika-Segi (Basque nationalist left youth organisations) case, we have heard some very poor translations in the Spanish National Criminal Court. On Friday the indictees, lawyers and relatives were open-mouthed when they heard the translators renderings and the same thing happened yesterday. But yesterday beat all."
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"The lawyer Jone Goirizelaia began her questioning by asking Perez if she knew what Jarrai (the Basque nationalist left youth organisation) was. Perez replied: “Yes.” The interpreter rendered this as “bad”." - Berria.info

Pretty bad that this happens in the courtroom. It probably happens a lot more than we know, even in the United States.

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