One day in the early 1980s interpreting in a deposition for US patent litigation, after I finished interpreting into English a response of the Japanese deponent being examined, the check interpreter commented “Mr. Lise’s interpreting was fine, but what the deponent really wanted to say was …”
Not surprisingly, the examining attorney ran up and down the side of the check interpreter’s head, figuratively of course, since violence is frowned upon in the US Embassy here in Tokyo. The attorney, of course, questioned how the check interpreter had acquired his mind-reading ability.
The check interpreter immediately realized his error and started to apologize on record for his mindreading, whereupon, just a few words into his apology, the attorney that had engaged him said “We’re going to take a break,” and literally took the check interpreter by the arm, guiding him out into the space outside the deposition room. The attorney surely did not want the apology to go onto the record, as that would cast doubt on his interpreter’s ability, although it might serve to bring attention to his interpreter’s supernatural abilities. Perhaps he could find work entertaining at parties.
Depositions are usually filled with boring examinations of boring witnesses, but occasionally we enjoy a bit of drama and comedy.
