What effect does your spoken dialect have in court?

The transcript discusses the importance of fairness in trials, emphasizing that justice should not be influenced by race, gender, or language. It highlights the challenges faced in courts when witnesses speak non-standard varieties of English, such as African American Vernacular English or other dialects. The need for interpreters is stressed to ensure fair trials, as understanding witnesses is crucial for justice. The transcript calls for more efforts to comprehend dialect speakers in court to prevent wrongful convictions or acquittals.

Why is it important for a courtroom to be 'blind'?

• To prevent witnesses from seeing the jury

• To avoid using visual evidence

• To ensure decisions are not influenced by personal biases

• To keep the courtroom dark

What is a major challenge faced by court reporters?

• Understanding legal jargon

• Dealing with technical issues

• Interpreting non-standard English varieties

• Writing fast enough

What can happen if a court reporter cannot understand a witness?

• The trial is postponed

• The judge makes a decision without the testimony

• The witness is dismissed

• The trial may be unfair

What is provided for speakers of different languages in American courts?

• A lawyer

• An interpreter

• A jury

• A translator

Why is it important to understand dialect speakers in court?

• To ensure fairness and justice

• To ensure they are comfortable

• To speed up the trial process

• To maintain courtroom decorum