38
An interpreter is invariably present during the
examination of prostitutes and is used to a varying extent.
But the examining officer is always a Cadet who has passed
the prescribed examinations in Cantonese and is competent
to check the interpretation.
From time to time he puts questions in Chinese himself.
It is, however, not uncommon for Chinese persons who speak
no other language, particularly those who have not come much
in contact with foreigners, to show a certain dullness of
apprehension, sometimes assumed, when they are addressed in
Chinese by a foreigner.
The interpreter can exercise influence neither on the
examining of ficer nor on the applicant. In the great majority
of cases, the applicants are genuinely anxious to be
permitted to practise in Hong Kong and the whole trend of
the examination is to test and shake this keen desire.