The growing need for foreign language court interpreters in South African courts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that lead to the scarcity of foreign language court interpreters in South African courts. The study seeks to unpack the history of court interpreting in South Africa, the importance and the use of indigenous languages and foreign languages in South African courts and clearly explain the underlying message found in the Section 35 (k) of the Constitution of South Africa which states that all citizens have the right to be tried in the language of their choice. South Africa has witnessed its population being ravaged by heinous crimes and atrocities committed by south Africans and foreign nationals alike. This certainly poses a challenge to the entire legal system in South Africa and particularly the execution of language skills particularly foreign language interpreting in the various courts of law.