An interpreter is subject to the provisions of these sections relating to competency, qualification as an expert, and the administration of an oath or affirmation that he or she will make a true translation.
NOTE
This section is derived from Fed. R. Evid. 604 and Proposed Mass. R. Evid. 604 and is consistent with Massachusetts law. See Commonwealth v. Festa, 369 Mass. 419, 429–430, 341 N.E.2d 276, 283–284 (1976) (establishing guidelines for when witnesses testify through an interpreter). See G. L. c. 221C, § 2 (a non-English speaker has the right to an interpreter throughout the proceedings, whether criminal or civil); Mass. R. Civ. P. 43(f); Mass. R. Crim. P. 41. The trial judge has sound discretion to appoint an interpreter. Commonwealth v. Esteves, 46 Mass. App. Ct. 339, 345, 705 N.E.2d 1158, 1162, reversed and remanded on other grounds, 429 Mass. 636, 710 N.E.2d 963 (1999). “[W]hen a witness testifies in a foreign language, the English translation is the only evidence, not the testimony in the original language.” Id.
Cross-Reference: Section 521, Sign Language Interpreter–Client Privilege; Section 522, Interpreter-Client Privilege; “Standards and Procedures of the Office of Court Interpreter Services,” 973 Mass. Reg. 3–70 (May 9, 2003), available at http://www.mass.gov/courts/admin/interpreters/finalstanproc.pdf.