The English transcript is an important record of an asylum or immigration interview. Solicitors, representatives and decision-makers may rely on it when considering an applicant's account. During the interview, the applicant's spoken Arabic is interpreted into English and recorded in the interview record.
However, the English record may not always fully reflect the applicant's original words, meaning or dialect. A transcript should therefore not automatically be treated as a perfect representation of everything said. Where a concern arises, checking it against the original Arabic audio can help identify discrepancies, omissions or mistranslations that may be relevant to the case.
1. Obtain both the transcript and the audio
A representative should request both the English interview transcript and the original audio recording. Home Office guidance says the transcript should be provided within seven days where possible. The audio recording can also be requested and may be supplied on a USB device by post. Where the adviser has access to the relevant Home Office portal, the transcript and audio may be made available electronically. The guidance also limits who the transcript and audio may be shared with, so check it before passing the files to anyone else.
Representatives should check the current Home Office instructions and the arrangements that apply to the particular interview, as procedures and access arrangements can change.
2. Check names, places and dates
Names of people and places may be transliterated from Arabic into English in different ways. For example, Sana'a may appear as Sanaa or Sanaa'. These variations do not necessarily refer to different places or people.
Dates can also require careful consideration. An applicant may refer to a season, a significant event or a month in the Hijri calendar rather than give a precise Gregorian date. Converting a Hijri date into a Gregorian date can sometimes produce an apparent inconsistency, particularly where the original answer was approximate.
The representative should consider the wording and context of the original Arabic before treating a difference in spelling or date as a contradiction.
3. Look for lost qualifiers and negatives
Small words can make a significant difference to the meaning of an answer. Expressions such as "maybe", "I think", "about" and "I don't remember exactly" communicate uncertainty. If these expressions are omitted, an estimate or uncertain recollection may appear in English as a definite statement.
Negatives are equally important. If a negative expression is missed or incorrectly interpreted, the meaning of an answer can be reversed.
For example, the fictional Arabic response "maybe it was in the month of Rajab, I don't remember exactly" could be recorded in English as "It was in the month of Rajab". The English version would then present an uncertain recollection as a definite date. This is a fictional illustration, not a real case.
When reviewing a record, it is important to consider not only the main content of an answer but also the qualifications that affect its meaning.
4. Check the questions as well as the answers
An answer needs to be considered in the context of the question that prompted it. If a question is interpreted differently from the way it was asked, the applicant may give an answer that appears incomplete, irrelevant or inconsistent when read in English.
For example, a question may become narrower, broader or more leading during interpretation. This can affect how the answer should be understood.
Interview record formats may differ, so it should not be assumed that every transcript presents the question and answer in the same way. Listening to the original recording can help establish what was asked in Arabic, how it was interpreted into English and whether the answer was understood in context.
5. Watch for signs of a dialect mismatch
Arabic is not a single spoken variety. A speaker from Sana'a, Kuwait City or Khartoum may use different vocabulary, expressions, idioms and pronunciation. An interpreter's familiarity with formal Arabic does not necessarily mean they will understand every regional or local expression used by an applicant.
Possible signs of a communication difficulty include repeated requests for clarification, hesitation over ordinary expressions, or answers that suggest the applicant and interpreter may not have understood one another. A shift towards formal Arabic may also be worth examining, but it is not, by itself, proof of a dialect mismatch.
The important question is whether effective communication was taking place. Home Office guidance addresses the need to check that the applicant understands the interpreter and to take appropriate steps if communication is not working. The recording may help a representative assess whether any difficulty was apparent and whether it was properly addressed.
What an independent linguistic review can, and cannot, show
An independent linguistic review compares the English interview record with the original Arabic recording. It can identify and explain discrepancies, omissions, mistranslations, differences in the interpretation of questions and answers, and language or dialect issues that may affect the accuracy of the record.
The purpose is to give the instructing representative a clear account of the linguistic issues identified, with reference to the relevant parts of the recording. It does not determine whether an applicant is credible, establish nationality or decide the outcome of an immigration claim. Those are matters for the relevant legal representatives and decision-makers.
The status and use of any report will depend on the instructions, its purpose and the requirements applicable to the case. The review should therefore be understood for what it is: a focused linguistic examination of the communication recorded during the interview, not a substitute for legal advice or the decision-maker's assessment.