NAATI Australian Institutional Settings (Legal, Health and Government Services)

Question 1

In an Australian courtroom, who is the interpreter's primary duty owed to?

Accepted Answer

The court, through accurate and impartial interpreting

Answer

Court interpreters serve the court. They must interpret accurately and impartially, whoever pays them, and must not advocate for any party.

Question 2

Which Australian Government service provides free interpreting to people with limited English and to eligible agencies and businesses?

Accepted Answer

TIS National (Translating and Interpreting Service)

Answer

TIS National is run by the Department of Home Affairs. It provides phone, video and on-site interpreting, and many credentialed practitioners take assignments through it.

Question 3

In a hospital, a doctor asks the interpreter to explain a procedure to the patient on the doctor's behalf after the doctor leaves the room. What should the interpreter do?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline, because giving medical information is outside the interpreter's role, and ask that the doctor or another clinician be present

Answer

Interpreters render communication between parties. They do not give information on a professional's behalf. Explaining a procedure alone would go beyond their role and could create clinical and legal risk.

Question 4

In an Australian legal setting, what is an 'affidavit'?

Accepted Answer

A written statement of facts that the person swears or affirms to be true

Answer

An affidavit is a sworn or affirmed written statement used as evidence. When one is made in another language, an interpreter or translator may need to swear or affirm that they rendered it accurately.

Question 5

During a police interview in Australia, what is the interpreter's correct practice?

Accepted Answer

Interpret everything said, including cautions and rights, accurately and in the first person

Answer

Police interviews can become evidence, so complete and accurate first-person interpreting is essential, including the formal caution. Summarising, giving advice or toning down language all compromise the record.

(NAATI) National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Practice Test

(NAATI) National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Practice Test

NAATI Australian Institutional Settings (Legal, Health and Government Services)