Capita interpreter does not know how to say "indictment"... so leaves it in English
This morning I went to my local crown court (Exeter) to observe a Polish Capita linguist in action. I knew that the hearing was scheduled for 10am. I sat down in a waiting area when I suddenly heard someone speaking Polish. They were coming out of a consultation room. The defendant and the linguist sat behind me so I could hear everything they were saying.
Interpreter (I): You know that we are now in the higher court, you know, where they wear wigs.
Defendant: Aha.
I: Not the lower one anymore.
I: When we walk in they will ask you for your name, address, date of birth and then they will read out the indictment*. Then you need to say "no" to the more serious one and "yes" to the lighter one, all right? Because, you know, your barrister made some sort of deal with them, so you are saying "no" to the serious one but "yes" to the lighter one. Then they will ask Probation to prepare a report on your character, you know it is very important, there may be an interpreter there or they will give you a questionnaire. It is important to answer the questions in short sentences, you know use three adjectives, make sure you answer their questions.
And it went on like that for a while
* pronounced in English
As they were called in, I did not follow them (due to the layout of the court room I would not have been able to hear how she was interpreting so I left the court).
