Irish Deaf Archives: 19th CENTURY INTERPRETERS IN THE COURTROOM

19th Century interpreters in the courtroom

Note: This video is in Irish Sign Language. As Amara does not offer the option to indicate Irish Sign Language as original language, it is indicated as in American Sign Language, the closest approximation offered

(Irish Deaf Archives - Justice of the Peace - 1862)

(Narrated by Josephine O'Leary)

In the past, in the year 1862 what happened in the courtroom?

At that time it was decided that in court “Deaf and Dumb” (sic) and other people

who spoke languages other than English,

for example here we speak English, but people coming here from France,

they must have interpreters for courtroom discussions and information.

Deaf and foreign people had to swear in, yes,

but interpreters also had their own separate Oath to swear.

They had to swear the following:

“I Shall truthfully and formally convey true evidence in court

and deal with one and deal with the court

in the right language of the person, so help me God.”

Wow! For 1862, for that time, it was progressive!

(Interpreters Oath, 1862)

(You shall truly and faithfully interpret the evidence about to be given, and all matters and things touching the present charge,)

(and the [French, or as the case may be] language into the English language, and the English language intote [French &c] language,)

(according to the best of your skill and ability, so help you God.)