Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100916

Coordinator Kenny Wang Opens in new window

Description Legal interpreting is a highly complex process that requires specialised training in interpreting techniques, litigation tactics, legal language and the legal system. This unit is a compulsory unit for students in key postgraduate courses in Interpreting and Translation course. It can also be offered to practising interpreters who wish to improve and perfect their knowledge and skills in legal interpreting. It aims to provide students with the theoretical background and the opportunity to develop the interpreting skills necessary to operate at the NAATI professional level as a court interpreter. Lectures are held in English for students of all languages. The tutorials are language specific in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Translating and Interpreting

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYB 3384 - Legal Interpreting

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Assumed Knowledge

Bilingual competence in English and one of the languages offered by the School for the interpreting and translation programs.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. interpret accurately in simulated court hearing situations in the consecutive mode
2. interpret accurately over the phone or via video-link in legal settings
3. sight translate court documents and interpret simultaneously in a simulated court situation in the whispering mode and in a simulated triangular situation in a legal conference in the dialogue mode.
4. demonstrate essential background knowledge of the Australian legal system.
5. understand and use essential legal vocabulary.
6. demonstrate full awareness of cross cultural and cross linguistic differences and their relevance in the context of court interpreting.
7. demonstrate understanding of the complexity of the courtroom language, including question tactics and the importance of testimony style.
8. integrate theory into practice.

Subject Content

1. Theory and practice of dialogue interpreting in the legal setting.
2. Theory and practice of consecutive interpreting in the legal setting.
3. Theory and practice of sight translation of legal documents.
4. Theory and practice of simultaneous whispering interpreting in the courtroom.
5. Theory and practice of telephone and video-link interpreting in the legal setting.
6. Essential background concepts and vocabulary of the Australian legal system.
7. The language and strategic use of courtroom questions and their significance to interpreting.
8. The language of courtroom testimony and its significance to interpreting.
9. Essential concepts concerned with cross cultural and cross linguistic communication.