The ATA Chronicle - January/February 2023 - 19

PROTECT
YOURSELF:
HOW TO PREVENT LAWYERS
FROM BLAMING YOU FOR
DEPOSITIONS GONE WRONG
If you've experienced
or heard of a
deposition where
the interpreter takes
the blame, then this
article is for you.
By Robert Holloway
ou're interpreting a
deposition and it ends
in one side's favor and
not the other. Who does the
losing side blame? You.
If you've experienced or
heard of a deposition where
the interpreter takes the
blame, then this article is for
you. You'll learn five key tips
that, when utilized correctly,
will help protect your image
as a professional interpreter in
front of attorneys and clients.
But first, here's a bit
of background for those
unfamiliar with the
deposition process. In a
nutshell a deposition is a
Y
stage in the legal process
where both parties can
gather information about
the case by questioning
the witnesses involved.
Depositions normally take
place at law offices or in
hotel conference rooms.
Depositions, however,
can be characterized
by a very adversarial
atmosphere, just like court.
Why? Although there's no
" winner " in a deposition,
one attorney might feel as if
the interpreting isn't going
their way for a variety of
reasons: the witness doesn't
provide answers to questions
www.ata-chronicle.online
the attorney thinks they
should know, the opposing
attorney objects to every other
question his counterpart asks,
the witness avoids giving
straight answers, etc. It's not
uncommon for the attorneys
to engage in heated arguments
during the deposition.
Now imagine you're in
the middle of that as the
interpreter for the witness.
You're neutral, but it may
feel like you're in between
two competitors. Here's the
thing: sometimes when the
deposition doesn't go the
way one attorney wanted
it to, they blame you: " The
American Translators Association 19

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The ATA Chronicle - January/February 2023

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