Implications and Explications of Police Translation of Complainants' Sworn
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IMPLICATIONS AND EXPLICATIONS OF POLICE TRANSLATION OF COMPLAINANTS’ SWORN STATEMENTS: EVIDENCE LOST IN TRANSLATION? BY MONWABISI KNOWLEDGE RALARALA BA Hons, HDE (Arts) (UWC); PGD ALS (Ed) (UCT); MA, DLitt (Stell) Dissertation submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Publishable articles, in the Faculty of Humanities, for the Department of Linguistics and Language Practice, at the University of the Free State. Date of submission: 01 July 2015 Promoter :Professor Kobus Marais Co-Promoter: Professor Russell Kaschula ii DECLARATION “I declare that the dissertation hereby submitted by Monwabisi Knowledge Ralarala for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Publishable articles at the University of the Free State is my own independent work and has not previously been submitted by me at another University/Faculty. I furthermore cede copyright of the thesis in favour of the University of the Free State.” Date: 01 July 2015 Copyright © (YEAR) University of the Free State All rights reserved iii ABSTRACT This interdisciplinary case study demonstrates that ‘retelling and rewriting’ of complainants’ legal narratives constitutes translation. The police officers’ (hereafter referred to as transpreters) exercise of translating such narratives from isiXhosa (ST) into English (TT) is quite essential in the administration of justice in a multilingual and multicultural environment such as South Africa, and specifically in the South African Police Service. The challenge (amongst others) in the current system is that traspreters are neither accredited nor posses the necessary credentials to perform this fundamental role and function. The key objectives of this study were investigated by means of scientific papers – both publishable and published as book chapters as well as journal articles in both international and accredited journals. Drawing on various conceptual and analytical frameworks (Sturge 2007, 2009; Asad 2010; Goffman 1981; Dollerup 1999, 2003, 2006, Schiavi 1996 and Chatman, 1978, 1990), the study teases out both micro and macro elements that emanate from 20 voice-recorded and 20 textual translation episodes of sworn statement – which were used as data. The research contributes significantly to scholarship. Apart from calling for a debate on the identifiable flaws of the current model of record construction within the criminal justice system, the study also paints a clear picture of the perpetuation of inequalities and dominance, and points out that these issues seem to have a direct bearing on the failure to observe social justice, access to justice and linguistic human rights in the South African Police Service. Elaborating on research- based explanations for these existing gaps, the study also offers important recommendations that are directed towards the revisiting of the current model of police record construction. Key words: translation, complainants’ legal narratives, sworn statements, administration of justice, dominance, transpreters, social justice, access to justice. iv LIST AND STATUS OF PAPERS BY CANDIDATE 1) Ralarala, M. K. ‘Cultural Translation’ of transpreters’ translation of complainants’ narratives into sworn statements. Status: Accepted for publication in the following edited book: Multilingualism in the professions and in intercultural communication: A South African perspective (to be published by Wits Press) Edited by Russell Kaschula, Ekkehard Wolff & Pam Maseko. 2) Ralarala, M. K. ‘An analysis of ‘voices’ and ‘style’ in transpreters’ translations of complainants’ narratives’. Status: Accepted for publication in the following international journal: Translation and Translanguaging in Multilingual Context. 3) Ralarala, M. K. 2014. Transpreters’ translation of complainants’ narratives as evidence: Whose version goes to court? Translator. 20 (2): 1-19 Status: Published in 2014 in an international journal: Special Issue of the Translator 4) Ralarala, M. K. 2013. Meaning rests in people not in words: Linguistic and cultural challenges in a diverse South African legal system. In Cuvelier, P. et al. (Eds). Studies in Language Policy in South Africa: Multilingualism for Empowerment. Pretoria :Van Schaik Publishers, 91-102 Status: Published in 2013 as a book chapter: In Cuvelier, P. et al. (Eds). Studies in Language Policy in South Africa: Multilingualism for Empowerment. 5) Ralarala, M. K. 2012. A compromise of rights, rights of language and rights to a language in Eugen Terreblanche’s (ET) trial within a trial: evidence lost in translation. SPIL. 41: 55- 70 Status: Published in 2012 in the Stellenbosch Papers In Linguistics (SPIL). v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to my colleagues and supervisors (Professors Kobus Marais and Russell Kaschula) for their helpful comments and guidance throughout this research expedition. The initial financial suppot provided by the University of the Free Sate (Arts and Culture Bursary through the Department of Linguistics and Language Practice is highly acknowledged). In the same vein, the institutional financial support (Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Learning and Development) has been equally helpful towards the completion of this project. The following friends, supporters and colleagues have been a source of inspiration in various ways and as such the completion of this project is in part attributed to their willingness to help: Dr Gillian Attwood, Mr Sandiso Mchiza, Dr Jenny Wright, Dr Sydney Zotwana, Dr Ignatius Ticha Ms Zandile Mcinziba, Ms Nomusa Hlongwa, Robert Makonjwa, Professor Cay Dollerup, Dr Zandile Mchiza, Professor Sue-Ann Harding, Professor Chris Winberg and all the Fundani staff, the Management and the staff in Khayelitsha (police station) who worked tirelessly to assit me to secure the data. Thank you very much for your support. I also feel it my duty to greatfully acknowledge my families, the Ralaralas (my parents – Mabutho and Vuyiswa Ralarala, my brothers and sisters – young and old- they know who they are), the Mafuyas (particularly my late grandmother and grandfather Nomase and Bhidase, my late mother, Mandiswa, my aunts- Nozuko and Noqalintombi, my sisters, uncles and cousins), the Alams and my numerous friends who have always demonstrated, in so many ways, love and support in times of joy and sorrow from my early childhood to adulthood. I cannot thank them enough for making me to become what I have become. I m also indebted to my wife and friend, Manase Lillian Ralarala, for the support she has always displayed in her own ways throughout the bad and good times of the days of our lives. Top of my list are my children. I hope that my academic contribution will always inspire them in some way in order to fly the flag of a holistic education for justice. I greatfully acknowledge the generous funding provided by the Canon Collins Educational & Legal Assistance Trust in support of this project. The views expressed in this work are mine, and I take full and sole responsibility for this work. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii LIST AND STATUS OF PUBLICATIONS BY CANDIDATE................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND /RATIONALE ....................................................................................... 1 1.2 THE PROCESS OF RECORD CONSTRUCTION (COMPILATION OF SWORN STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................. ..4 1.3 THE PRESENT STUDY ................................................................................................... 5 1.4 RESEARCH PROBLEM .................................................................................................. 11 1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................ 12 1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY ............................................................................... 12 1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY .................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 2 PAPER 1: ‘Cultural Translation’ of transpreters’ translation of complainants’ narratives into sworn statements 2.1 ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 THEORISING ‘CULTURAL TRANSLATION’ IN TRANSPRETATION PRACTICE ..................................................................................................................... 17 2.3 INSTITUTIONAL DISCOURSE AND POWER RELATIONS IN TRANSPRETATION FUNCTION .................................................................................. 22 2.4 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 29 2.5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ 29 2.6 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER 3: PAPER 2: ‘An analysis of critical ‘Voices’ and ‘Styles’ in Transpreters’ translations of Complaints’ Narratives 3.1 ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................