Mzuzu University for training of Malawi court interpreters

Mzuzu University (Mzuni) Forensic Linguistics students say it is pertinent that Malawi magistrate court interpreters be accorded proper training so that impartial judgment is fostered.

The students made the observation Tuesday during a field trip to Nkhata Bay Magistrate Court, which compliments their course work.

Class Representative Yamiko Banda said they “noted” there was a high level of incompetence among the interpreters.

“Sometimes they interpreted into local languages things that were totally from what the prosecutors were saying,” she said.

According to her, the class recommended that stakeholders, beginning with Mzuni, should take up the “task of training the interpreters.”

Nkhata Bay District Magistrate, a Mr. Ngosi, agreed with Banda saying previously the interpreters were being trained at Mpemba Staff Development Institute but over the years “it has been difficult.”

Lecturer in the department of languages and literature Wellman Kondowe said they “were considering” the recommendation.

Kondowe recommended that the interpreters need knowledge in language and communication, language, crime and law plus sociolinguistics.