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Author
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Topic: Testing With Translaters
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stat
Member
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posted 08-06-2007 08:10 PM
 
I have had nothing but problems testing Spanish speakers with a translater. I tested a Cuban who was rescued by Jesse Jackson as a foriegn dissident (among many other Cubans)---he was an intel officer for Castro and a turncoat---came to America, married a gringa, and took her on a cross-state rape/kidnapping spree after she allegedly was caught cheating on him. He since served prison, was paroled as a sex offender, and appeared to be involved in a insurance auto theft scheme. I spent one half hour with the translater debating offender over the concept of "involviste/involvidad" as in "Were you involved in the theft of....(he had a strong alibi). I decided that I will never again test a Spanish speaker---which is no loss as they rarely present to me anyway.I want to emphasize that I am not a racist and I believe I have good professional grounds for such rejection---don't I? From a civl rights perspective, my stand is legally thin----but Indiana does not mandate that monolinguil Spanish speakers enter sex offender treatment---which would of course be a problem if we gringos uniformally rejected Latinos. Incidentally, I would only assume that testing Slovic speakers would be just as troublesome---so I am not singling out Latinos/Latinas.I have a fluent-Spanish-speaking examiner friend who has described the trouble with "Spanglish" in that many of those speakers cannot verbalize some words in either language---such as the common word "ticket." At first I was interested in the cool process of "difusion"--when 2 languages/cultures combine, but I have learned that Spanglish/Tex-Mex is more often than not a tragic state of ignorance of both languages---which ultimately makes for very difficult testing (as I'm told.) To make matters worse, most court and/or certified translaters are female, and the sexual subject matter of pcsot makes for a blushing translater, and a pridefully ashamed Latino. Again, it just so happens that Spanish language is so prevelant in the US---and my comments regarding poly testing w/translaters could be just as easily ascribed to other languages and other cultural roadblocks. [This message has been edited by stat (edited 08-06-2007).] IP: Logged |
Taylor
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posted 08-06-2007 08:45 PM
Stat - I agree. I have only tested two spanish cases. The first examinee (& my first interpretation exam) didn't speak any english. The interpreter was an upcoming attorney/translator. All of the pretest preparation you can do with the interpreter will still not prepare them. During the pretest I got the man to admit to the crime on the first or second question. The translator got big eyed and almost stopped breathing...she then reported to me what he said while blushing and experiencing a case of fight/flight. I just kept asking her questions to ask the subject to keep her on track. After the initial admission and finding out it was the neices fault (of course! damn little hussies), I consulted with his attorney and his attorney stopped the exam and thanked me for my time. I didn't even get to run the polygraph. Cha ching...pretest admission with in minutes and no written report was requested.The second guy claimed only to speak english until he arrived at the attorneys office and spoke english. I had the interpretor present to explain any words he didn't understand. What a game player. Needless to say, I don't care for interpretation polygraphs. They take TOO much time and I am not real comfortable in the whole process. I have found a few cops that have volunteered for future tests but I actually hope I don't get the referrals. I too am kicking my butt for taking german in high school (but the german guy was a cool teacher). Taylor IP: Logged |
stat
Member
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posted 08-06-2007 09:49 PM
Thanks Taylor. I forgot to mention that my above test was a complete failure. The Examinee went DI---but there were no admissions----and the previous test I had with that Offender was equally underwhelming. I was not confident that I got psyche set----heck I am not sure about anything with those tests. The translater blushed everytime I mentioned "pornographista"------she was a grandmotherly type. Call me picky, but I'm just not crazy about blowing tests----and the translated tests are more often than not, a crummy, blown experience.[This message has been edited by stat (edited 08-06-2007).] [This message has been edited by stat (edited 08-06-2007).] IP: Logged |
stat
Member
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posted 08-06-2007 09:54 PM
This might be a stupidisto question, but does the cop translater do it for free? I never thought to call a cop shop.IP: Logged |
rnelson
Member
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posted 08-06-2007 10:16 PM
Hallo Taylor und stat, wie ghet is alles diesen abend?------------ I had a problem once with a Spanish translation - almost missed a pretest admission. I told the subject it was my understanding that we were to discuss the allegation that he had sexually assaulted his underage niece. He assured me he didn't assault her. Assaltar (assalto) seems to us to be the correct word, but in ideomatic useage it commonly refers to physical battery or fighting. Once I figured out the problem, he admitted he had sex with her, he just didn't assault her. Done. I don't like translated tests either. Equally important, I'm sometimes alarmed to read reports from translated tests, that include no mention of the translation, interpreters name or qualifications, or any record of a minimal written translation of the test questions (I suppose there is video). Coupled with the boilerplate language about so-and-so is a "fit" subject for the polygraph technique (who talks or writes like that anyway), those reports give the impression that we consider the those exams to hold the full force and validity of every other examination. r ------------------
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room."
--(Stanley Kubrick/Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, 1964)
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Taylor
Member
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posted 08-06-2007 10:55 PM
Just becuz the attorney didn't want a report, I always generate one for my records.Stat as for cops interpreting exams. They may do it for free just to see the poly in work. The few I have talked to will only charge me a minimal fee or a few drinks after the exam. At least with LE, I know they aren't going to miss any deceptive language. Check with the Local LE and drop them $100 and just add it to the total you charge - so you are not out anything. The only problem with a cop interpretation is if you are doing the exam for a defense attorney. If it is a PCSOT exam you should be fine. My second exam that I didn't elaborate on was also a failure becuase I had a DI chart with no admission. A day prior to the exam the defense attorney had told his client that no DNA was found. He wasn't going to budge at all because he thought he could get away with it w/o the DNA. Ray, I took german in high school for 6 months (do you remember what kids do in HS?) - I am now an old lady....what??? BTW I can still count to 10 (just can't spell it)..ha ha Taylor IP: Logged |
stat
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 07:02 AM
On one test, I used a control that addressed such phony incomprehension of English---it went something like---"SYSP, have you lied to any authorities about your comprehension of English?I haven't the foggiest whether that control was folly or not. [This message has been edited by stat (edited 08-07-2007).] IP: Logged |
Ted Todd
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 05:08 PM
I have found that using an interpreter makes if very difficult to set the comparrison questions regardles of the issue being tested. I try to avoid these tests at all cost. When I do have to use an interpreter, I will only use a sworn peace officer. I had a suspect from Afghanistan and used a court certified interpreter. I had the video checked by another interpretor at a later time. I was very surprised to have that interpreter tell me the first interpreter was telling the suspect not to answer my questions! Cultural ties can be very tight. Taylor and Stat-
In California, Cops are mandatory reporters. In other words, if they hear your examinee admit to molestation, they are legally bound to report it. Is it the same in Utah?
Ted
[This message has been edited by Ted Todd (edited 08-07-2007).] [This message has been edited by Ted Todd (edited 08-07-2007).] IP: Logged |
Taylor
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 05:32 PM
Ted, don't jump the gun....sit back and join me in having a cold one....of course it is mandatory in Utah. Thats why I said -The only problem with a cop interpreter would be if you are doing the exam for a defense attorney. No defense attorney is going to allow a cop to be the interpreter and unless you want to loose business you shouldn't bring a cop to do the interpretation. I am retired LE - unless I am doing a defense poly, I will report the crime. I have a moral obligation. There are good court interpreters that will work fine for these cases - everyone works under the attorney/client priviledge. On PCSOT where they are already convicted, use a cop. If the offender has done another crime while on supervision (PCSOT) regardless of who is interpreting, I'm reporting it! gulp, Donna
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Ted Todd
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posted 08-07-2007 05:48 PM
Donna,I don't do any private testing on criminal issues. My criminal tests are all for law enforcement agencies. Ted IP: Logged |
Taylor
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posted 08-07-2007 06:20 PM
deleted post.[This message has been edited by Taylor (edited 08-07-2007).] IP: Logged |
Ted Todd
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 06:24 PM
Taylor,I think you misunderstood me. I have NO problem with private examiners and I never hinted that you might be on the dark side. I was strictly discussing the use of interpreters???? How the heck did we get here? My office will not let me do any private criminal polys due to the conflict of interest stuff. When I do retire, I will be right there with you doing defense polys. Ted [This message has been edited by Ted Todd (edited 08-07-2007).] IP: Logged |
Taylor
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 06:30 PM
Ted, I never thought you had a problem. Sorry if it came across that way. I guess this is the bad thing about talking on the computer. I was just talking and apparently moved off topic...oopsI will now walk away from the computer.... IP: Logged |
stat
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 07:42 PM
Dangit-----a deleted post. It was probably something inappropriate----AND I MISSED IT!I will try to write something inappropriate in the next week or so-----to compensate for the loss. Taylor Taylor Taylor....don't you know that censorship is the first step to tyranny? spat
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stat
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 07:50 PM
Does anyone have a 1927 Ford V8 T-Bucket roadster that they would trade for say......$300 and a garbage bag full of dirty diapers? sigh
I will never get to have another hot rod...ever. I am seriously thinking about changing profe$$ions.
[This message has been edited by stat (edited 08-07-2007).] IP: Logged |
rnelson
Member
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posted 08-07-2007 11:39 PM
stat, some day you just might miss that bag, kids grow older and get little minds of their own, and you have to practically bribe them to do cool things like playing with hot-rods, motorcycles, or building catapults for punkin' chukin' r ------------------
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room."
--(Stanley Kubrick/Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, 1964)
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stat
Member
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posted 08-08-2007 07:06 AM
I'm leaving for "the road" for the next 4 days and my heart just isn't into it------no hot rods AND no family----just me and 12 sex offenders (if they actually show up and pay)and the occasional passerby probation agent. For those that have my phone number, feel free to call me for "normal human contact." I'll be the guy holed up evenings in $38 motels, pissed at the dead tv remote batteries and wishing I had a hand-held black light (although be careful what ya wish for)-----see ya'llIP: Logged |
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