INTERPRETERS

When in an overseas area you may have to question a person with whom you cannot converse directly because of language differences. This may also occur on rare occasions while working in CONUS. This problem should be solved through the use of an interpreter.

The interpreter should be a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. citizen, but if it is impossible to obtain such a person, a qualified local inhabitant can be employed.

Knowledge of the foreign language is the best solution to your problem and the best means of checking the accuracy, loyalty, and obedience of your interpreter. You, however, should not attempt an interrogation alone unless you are fluent in the foreign language and certain of your ability to phrase and understand intelligent questions and to clearly understand answers given by the subject. Whenever you have any doubt as to your ability, you should use a qualified interpreter.

Choosing an Interpreter

An interpreter should possess the following qualifications: 

. Be intelligent and capable of learning rapidly the habits, methods, and procedures of different investigators. 

. Be educated in both the foreign language and English. Must be able to communicate clearly and intelligibly to all persons you are likely to question.

. Be honest and free from criminal tendencies. If a native of the area, he or she should be free from unfavorable notoriety among the local inhabitants. 

. His or her reputation or standing in the community prohibits intimidation by persons of higher rank and standing. A person's social and educational level is often discernible from speech habits or peculiarities. 

. Be willing to accept a subordinate role in the actual questioning of persons; that is, the interpreter must permit you to ask the questions and to receive and evaluate the answers.

Controlling the Interpreter

You must make certain the interpreter performs assigned duties correctly and does not take over the questioning. You are responsible for the investigation and for any interview or interrogation. Therefore, you must remain in complete control.

You ask the questions, receive the answers, and evaluate the information and each person who gives information. You should use the interpreter as a means of overcoming the language barrier.

Specific things to be avoided include the following: 

. The interpreter must never ask questions other than those originated by you or paraphrase your questions or the subject's answers. 

. The interpreter should never intimidate or berate the subject or engage in any behavior that will lower your prestige or adversely affect the investigation. 

. The interpreter should never hold back information given by the subject because it may adversely affect the interpreter. 

. You, in turn, should never bully, criticize or admonish the interpreter in the presence of the subject. Criticism is made in private to avoid lowering the prestige of the interprets, thereby impairing his or her effectiveness.

Questioning Procedure

The normal procedure for questioning through the interpreter includes the following: 

l You should, insofar as possible, prepare in advance and in writing the questions you intend to ask. The questions should be clear, brief, and of the type that will elicit brief, factual answers. 

. Questions should be provided to the interpreter in advance so that any special vocabulary research required may be accomplished before the interview. 

. The interpreter should stand or sit to the side and slightly forward of you so he or she can converse with the subject, and you, by merely a turn of the head. Do not permit the interpreter to move about or to do anything that will distract the subject's attention from you. 

l You should address the subject directly, developing good eye contact to hold his or her attention. Ask the questions slowly and clearly in concise and unambiguous English. Slang or other obvious expressions peculiar to a region or district, which may confuse the interpreter, should be avoided. If the subject and interpreter begin an extensive conversation or argument, you must put an immediate stop to it. 

. The interpreter should translate your questions into the language of the subject. The interpretation should be done promptly in a clear, well-modulated voice, reproducing the tone and emphasis used by you. l The subject should answer the questions in his or her native language. 

. The interpreter should repeat the subject's answer in English, in as literal a translation as possible, without use of such expressions as, "He says" or "I believe he is lying." If you desire an explanation of an answer that concerns the use of or meaning of a word, request it from the interpreter at a later time. If you need clarification of a fact from the subject, secure it by asking the subject appropriate additional questions. 

l You should never instruct the interpreter to ask the subject a question. By the same token, insist that the interpreter translate the subject's answer directly and literally. In other words, never turn to the interpreter and say, "Ask him if he knows John Doe." nor do you permit the interpreter to reply, "He says he does." Instead, the question should be put directly to the subject in English, "Do you know John Doe?" and you should receive the answer through the interpreter as though it were answered in English by the subject, "Yes, I know him." 

. You may find it desirable and necessary to make verbatim notes of the answers as they are given by the subject. In these instances, the interpreter must speak slowly and distinctly. 

. In some cases, you may use a stenographer or a recording device. If the stenographer speaks both languages, record all the statements made in both languages. An electronic recording device could be used wherever possible in subject interviews and as required in other instances if the interviewee consents to its use. Such a device affords a permanent record of the questioning in both languages and is a means of cross-checking the accuracy and fidelity of the translation. 

. The interpreter should be instructed to make a translation of long statements at regular and convenient pauses during the subject's utterances. The interruptions must come at the end of complete thoughts. This procedure may be difficult if the subject is allowed to give extensive narrative versions of the information. Therefore, questions that require extensive explanations and may cause the subject to stray should be avoided.