Interpreters & the Record: Where the Rules End and Reality Begins

Interpreters & the Record: Where the Rules End and Reality Begins

From The Court Reporter Podcast by Brynn Reynolds Seymour

March 27, 2026 · 30 min · Season 3 · Episode 84

About this episode

This episode explores the complex relationship between court reporters and interpreters, focusing on their roles and responsibilities in the record-taking process.

What is the court reporter’s role when something on the record feels… wrong? And how can court reporters and interpreters work together effectively to enhance the record-taking process? In this episode, Brynn explores one of the most nuanced and debated issues in court reporting: working with interpreters (including "underqualified" or reporter-illiterate interpreters). Where is the line between neutrality and responsibility? When should a reporter remain silent, and when is it necessary to speak up? Drawing from real deposition experiences, industry discussions, and state rules across New York, California, Texas, and Illinois, this episode breaks down what the law says and what actually happens in the room. More importantly, it challenges a deeper question: Are we simply capturing the record… or are we responsible for protecting it? 🎧 In This Episode The difference between interpretation and verbatim testimony Why third-person interpreting creates serious transcript issues The real problem with mixing English and interpreted answers What state rules actually say about the reporter’s role A critical distinction between content vs. structure of the record When speaking up may be…

People in this episode

Host: Brynn Reynolds Seymour

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: CPLR § 3113(b)

Places: New York, California, Texas, Illinois

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