CASLI Legal Interpreting 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Deaf defendant communicates primarily through written English notes rather than ASL. The sign language interpreter should:
- Insist that ASL be used to ensure the defendant's full legal protection
- Use Signed Exact English to bridge the gap between ASL and written English
- Defer to the defendant's preferred communication mode and inform the court (Correct answer)
- Request a CART provider as the sole accommodation instead
Correct answer: Defer to the defendant's preferred communication mode and inform the court
The Deaf individual's preferred communication mode should be respected; the interpreter should inform the court and adapt accordingly or facilitate alternative access.
Question 2: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), educational interpreters in school-based IEP meetings involving legal matters are governed primarily by:
- IDEA's standards for qualified interpreters in educational settings (Correct answer)
- The same federal court interpreter standards as criminal proceedings
- Only the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct
- No specific federal qualification standards
Correct answer: IDEA's standards for qualified interpreters in educational settings
IDEA governs educational settings including IEP meetings, and sets standards for the qualifications and roles of interpreters in those contexts.
Question 3: A sign language interpreter working with a CDI team during a criminal trial hands off to the CDI after signing. In this relay model, the hearing interpreter's primary role is to:
- Interpret between spoken English and the CDI, who then communicates with the Deaf individual (Correct answer)
- Supervise the CDI's work and correct any signing errors observed
- Take primary responsibility for voicing the Deaf individual's signed testimony
- Interpret directly to the Deaf individual and use the CDI only for cultural guidance
Correct answer: Interpret between spoken English and the CDI, who then communicates with the Deaf individual
In a CDI relay team, the hearing interpreter bridges spoken English to the CDI, who then uses their native language expertise to communicate with the Deaf individual.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a pre-session meeting between the interpreter and the attorney before a legal proceeding?
- For the attorney to coach the interpreter on how to present favorable testimony
- To allow the interpreter to review confidential case strategy files
- To clarify logistics, terminology, and communication protocols without discussing case strategy (Correct answer)
- To establish an ongoing professional relationship outside the single proceeding
Correct answer: To clarify logistics, terminology, and communication protocols without discussing case strategy
Pre-session meetings are used to review terminology, logistics, and communication protocols; the interpreter should not receive strategic legal coaching or access privileged materials.
Question 5: An interpreter is subpoenaed to testify about an interpreted conversation in a civil case. The interpreter should:
- Refuse to testify, citing interpreter-client privilege
- Provide only a written summary rather than live testimony
- Comply with the subpoena and consult an attorney about any applicable privileges (Correct answer)
- Only testify if both parties to the interpreted conversation consent
Correct answer: Comply with the subpoena and consult an attorney about any applicable privileges
Unlike attorney-client privilege, there is no universal 'interpreter privilege'; the interpreter should comply with the subpoena and seek legal counsel regarding any applicable protections.
Question 6: Which factor is most critical when evaluating whether an interpreter's rendition of testimony was 'accurate' in a legal proceeding?
- Whether the Deaf witness expressed satisfaction with the interpretation afterward
- Whether the interpretation was delivered simultaneously without measurable delay
- Whether a second interpreter verified the rendition in real time
- Whether the meaning, register, and pragmatic intent of the source message were preserved (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Whether the meaning, register, and pragmatic intent of the source message were preserved
Accuracy in legal interpreting encompasses preservation of meaning, register, and pragmatic intent—not just surface-level word equivalence or delivery speed.
Question 7: A sign language interpreter who also holds a law degree is asked by the Deaf client to provide legal advice during a break in proceedings. The interpreter should:
- Provide advice since they are qualified as both an attorney and interpreter
- Decline, as combining the interpreter role with a legal advisor role creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest (Correct answer)
- Offer general legal information but not specific case advice
- Refer the client to their attorney of record and interpret any subsequent communication
Correct answer: Decline, as combining the interpreter role with a legal advisor role creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest
Taking on a dual role of interpreter and legal advisor creates a fundamental conflict of interest that compromises the interpreter's neutrality and violates professional ethical standards.
CASLI Legal Interpreting 5
A Deaf defendant communicates primarily through written English notes rather than ASL.
The sign language interpreter should: