A Four-Minute Narrative Answer in a Personal Injury Trial
In a personal injury jury trial, a Spanish-speaking witness is asked, 'Tell us everything that happened from the moment you arrived at the warehouse.' The answer runs four minutes and includes three supervisors' names, two dates, a distance of 'como 15 metros,' a machine description, and the phrase 'aproximadamente a las tres.' You are the sole interpreter, using consecutive mode, and you have been taking notes. Immediately after, opposing counsel rapid-fires ten yes or no questions in under a minute. While you are rendering the fourth answer, opposing counsel objects 'to the form and the interpretation.' The judge says, 'The interpreter can keep up; continue.' The witness then starts answering in overlapping speech with the attorney. You have no team interpreter and no real-time feed.
1. How should you manage the four-minute narrative answer in consecutive mode?
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I would not summarize or omit details. I would use my notes, symbols, and abbreviations to track names, dates, distances, and approximations. Because a four-minute answer exceeds reliable short-term memory, I would ask the court for permission either to switch to simultaneous mode for that answer or to have the witness pause at natural breaks. I would explain the request in terms of completeness and accuracy, not inconvenience. If the court directs me to continue in consecutive, I would render the full answer, preserving 'aproximadamente' as approximately and 'como 15 metros' as about 15 meters, not as exact figures. If I cannot reliably render a segment, I must disclose that on the record rather than guess.
2. What should you do when the objection is made during your rendition?
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I should stop speaking immediately and preserve my place. The objection is part of the record and must be resolved by the judge. I should not translate the objection to the witness unless the court directs me to do so, and I should not argue the objection. If the objection is to the interpretation itself, I should be prepared to explain the mode used and any difficulty, but only when the court asks. After the ruling, I resume from the point where I stopped, without repeating or editing. If the court says 'continue' despite the objection, I continue rendering accurately and do not comment on the judge's ruling.
3. How should you handle rapid yes/no questions and overlapping speech?
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I would ask the court to slow the pace or to require one question at a time. The interpreter has a duty to ensure complete and accurate rendition, and rapid-fire questions can cause omissions or distortions. I should not guess or answer for the witness. When the witness and attorney overlap, I should state on the record that I cannot interpret simultaneous overlapping speech and ask for sequential turns. The judge controls the courtroom and can direct counsel to pause after each question. If the pace continues, I should renew the request rather than silently summarize. Preserving the record is more important than speed.