Linguistic Disadvantage in Jury Trials: Lessons from Hong Kong and Beyond - Hardcover

Ng, Associate Professor Eva N S

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 139951069X ISBN 13: 9781399510691

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2025

Synopsis

Eva Ng’s groundbreaking work delves into post-colonial Hong Kong courtrooms, where jury service is exclusive to well-educated individuals deemed capable of understanding English proceedings. Using authentic audio recordings of two jury trials to assess jurors’ comprehension, Ng highlights the challenges faced by Chinese jurors, who labour under the double disadvantage of unfamiliarity with legal discourse and insufficient proficiency in the English language used by the court. Ng’s study goes beyond conventional textual analysis by examining also the impact of speakers’ physical voicing on jurors’ comprehension. She addresses the notion of trial by peers, issues of linguistic diversity, disadvantage and inequality in jury service participation in a wider context. Ng advocates for the use of court interpreters to improve comprehension and ensure equitable justice. Her interdisciplinary study offers valuable insights and recommendations for researchers and practitioners in linguistics, law, translation and interpreting, aiming to enhance the quality of interpretation in courtrooms and promote fairer legal outcomes.

About this title

About the Author

Eva N.S. Ng is Associate Professor of Translation at the University of Hong Kong

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 139951069X
• ISBN 13: 9781399510691
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240