Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

V
WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 229
Protocol on the Investigation of Torture may be helpful to
consider in this context.
The Istanbul Protocol standards explored two different
approaches that can be used, each with their own pros and
cons, for interpretation of legal services and interviews:
Literal, word-for-word translation.
‣ Such translation must exclusively represent what
the victim has said without being subject to
interpreter’s influence.
Bicultural approach to linguistic interpretation that
facilitates an understanding of cultural meanings
attached to events, experience, symptoms and idioms.
‣ This adds a depth of understanding to the exchange
that may otherwise be missing. 612
The same standards also highlight a number of other
considerations, including:
The interpreter’s identity and ethnic, cultural and
political affiliation as important considerations in the
choice of an interpreter, as the person being interpreted
must be able to trust that what she is saying is being
communicated in the way she wished it to be said;
The interpreter should never be a law enforcement
official or government employee to ensure there are no
potential conflicts of interest; and
The interpreter should never be a family member in
order to respect the person’s privacy. 613
612
Istanbul Protocol, above note 577, paragraph 274.
613
Ibid, paragraph 274.