Romani or Romanian? Sticky Situation…

What Would You Do?

There are multiple families in the courtroom dressed in traditional garb. Most of them have long hair. The women are wearing long skirts and large earrings. I recognize the bohemian style and wonder if they are Roma (also known as Gypsies, although I hesitate to use the term as some consider it offensive). An immigration judge calls the number for a previously scheduled telephonic interpreter. The exchange went something like this:

Interpreter: Thank you for calling (language services agency). My ID number is (#). How can I help you today?

Judge: Yes, good morning. We have several families here for their initial hearing in immigration court. Are you my Romanian interpreter?

Interpreter: No, Your Honor, I am a Romani interpreter, not a Romanian interpreter.

Judge: (scoffs) That’s what I said.

Interpreter: I’m sorry, Your Honor. I thought you said Romanian, and I am not a Romanian interpreter. I only interpret Romani. The request said Romani, but–

Judge: (interrupts) Ro-may-nian, Ro-mah-nian, I might be pronouncing it differently, but it’s the same thing. I just needed to verify that you were my interpreter for this morning…

Interpreter: (interjects) No, but that’s what I’m trying to say, Your Honor. They’re two different language—

Judge: (interrupts, yelling) Interpreter, you are interrupting me! The families I have here are from Romania. I need a Ro-may-nian or Ro-mah-nian interpreter! I don’t know why you are making such a big deal about the pronunciation. If you were scheduled for this morning, then you must be my interpreter. Just introduce yourself to make sure they can hear and understand you.

Interpreter: (introduces himself in Romani)

Respondents: (acknowledge and respond)

Judge: Well, I heard “Da,” which I’m pretty sure means “Yes” in Romanian. So, sounds like they understand you.

I want to clarify that the interpreter was indeed speaking Romani, but the respondents were from Romania and also understood Romanian. They were mixing the languages. This is something that I witnessed over a year ago. The exchange was much longer and more uncomfortable than this. The judge berated the interpreter, refused to listen to him and blamed him for interrupting her when she had in fact interrupted him multiple times. I did not include all of the details partially to protect the parties involved, but also because it happened quite a while ago and I no longer remember all of the specifics. After the judge used the interpreter’s services and disconnected, she proceeded to complain about the interpreter’s arrogance and rudeness to her clerk and the government’s attorney. To my shock and horror, they both laughed and agreed that it was quite silly and unnecessary. As a neutral party, I typically keep my mouth shut unless asked a direct question. However, I felt so frustrated and outraged by the injustice of it all that I took a risk and tried to politely and nonchalantly stand up for the interpreter: “Your Honor, I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that the interpreter was trying to say that Romani and Romanian were two different languages and that he could not interpret Romanian.” She quickly dismissed my input, claiming “that’s not what he said.”

Cultural and Linguistic Awareness Note: Romani and Romanian are in fact two completely different languages. They even have different roots. Romanian is a romance language. Romani is thought to be an Indo-Aryan language. The Roma are an ethnic group of people who have scattered all over the world. While some Roma do happen to live in Romania, that is not where they originated from, nor is it where they all reside. Although they might assimilate into the countries they live in, Romani continues to be their native language. Please visit this link to read more about this interesting people, language and culture: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rom.

Back to our anecdote… Obviously, the judge here was in the wrong. We could forgive her ignorance if she had not chosen to let her pride get in the way of listening and learning something new. However, we unfortunately cannot control the actions of the judge. Now it’s time to analyze the situation.

As the interpreter, what would you have done? Or perhaps what could you have done to avoid the situation? It was clear that the interpreter was concerned that the judge needed a Romanian interpreter and he was not that. He wanted to make sure he didn’t waste her time. Maybe you’re thinking he did everything he could or he did all of the right things? Not necessarily…

As the language expert, he should know that Romani and Romanian sound and are spelled similarly. He should know that some people will not know the difference. When he initially responded, instead of just saying

“No, I’m not that, I’m this,”

he could have said—out of an abundance of caution—

“Your Honor, I apologize for any confusion on my part, but I just want to clarify to make sure I don’t waste the Court’s time. Romani and Romanian are two very different languages. I was requested to interpret into Romani for the hearing this morning. I have to advise that I cannot interpret into Romanian. I thought I heard the Court say Romanian. Could you confirm which language it is that you need to be interpreted?”

That might seem like a lot, but in our profession and as language experts, we need to communicate as clearly and neutrally as possible. If we explain and provide reasons from the get-go, it will save us a lot of discomfort and stress. What do you think? What are your thoughts or suggestions?