A diglossic multi-dialectal language in the courtroom : the challenges for English-Arabic legal interpreters

Abstract

The increasing mobility around the world in recent decades has meant a rise in the need for interpreting services. Coupled with the premise that no court client should be disadvantaged due to a language barrier, that has triggered an interest in research in legal interpreting, and in particular, courtroom interpreting. While literature presents studies on the topic in many languages, little research has been published on the English-Arabic language pair. Considering that the legal setting is particularly sensitive to language use and that Arabic -- one of the key languages spoken at home in Australia -- is charecterised by diglossia and dialectal diversity, this study aims to investigate the setting where the two phenomena intersect, i.e., the challenges in legal interpreting that are related to Arabic language varieties. The study was conducted empirically and primarily qualitatively. Questionnaires and interviews were utilised, and a focus group forum was convened to collect data from interpreters and legal professionals who have participated in English-Arabic legal encounters. The study has found that Arabic varieties pose challenges in the English-Arabic legal setting and that the relevant stakeholders (other than interpreters) do not have adequate awareness of the issue. It has also found that the particular variant of Arabic referred to as Educated Spoken Arabic (ESA) -- a relaxed version of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) -- is in most cases the optimal solution to the challenges associated with Arabic varieties. The study recommends making practice on the key Arabic dialects spoken in Australia part of interpreting academic and training programs. It also recommends that clear guidelines be outlined toward a common understanding and collaborative approach in dealing with the issue on the part of the relevant parties. Stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of the study include Arabic-speaking court clients, English-Arabic legal interpreters, and judicial officers. By investigating legal interpreting in a key language pair, this study will ultimately be of benefit for the administration of justice in Australia.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English