CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12] — Page 68

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

40.

Such men must be well paid and win a responsible position. A salary under £300 a year, and no position superior to that of the Deputy Registrar will ever secure efficient men.

Chinese interpretation has answered fairly well in the Police Court, why should it not do so in the Supreme Court? I believe there would be a considerable improvement in interpretation in the Supreme Court if the interpreters at the Magistracy were promoted, but still it would not be what it ought to be.

It may seem paradoxical to say so, but thorough knowledge of English is of more importance than thorough knowledge of Chinese. The Englishman who knows both thoroughly is, of course, the model interpreter, but between an educated Englishman with a fair knowledge of Chinese and an educated Chinaman with a fair knowledge of English, the former is, to my mind, infinitely preferable.

A man who can understand fully and accurately what is said by Chinese witnesses without being able to speak fluently is of great use, but it is hard to follow in their footsteps. During the few years that officials in the court would speak and read Chinese, and if a man could book a special dialect for his study, outside assistance would never be needed.

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40. Such men must be well paid and win a responsible position. A salary under £300 a year, and no position superior to that of the Deputy Registrar will ever secure efficient men. Chinese interpretation has answered fairly well in the Police Court, why should it not do so in the Supreme Court? I believe there would be a considerable improvement in interpretation in the Supreme Court if the interpreters at the Magistracy were promoted, but still it would not be what it ought to be. It may seem paradoxical to say so, but thorough knowledge of English is of more importance than thorough knowledge of Chinese. The Englishman who knows both thoroughly is, of course, the model interpreter, but between an educated Englishman with a fair knowledge of Chinese and an educated Chinaman with a fair knowledge of English, the former is, to my mind, infinitely preferable. A man who can understand fully and accurately what is said by Chinese witnesses without being able to speak fluently is of great use, but it is hard to follow in their footsteps. During the few years that officials in the court would speak and read Chinese, and if a man could book a special dialect for his study, outside assistance would never be needed.
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40. Su fance to follow in their fortstips. Du few years rally official in the tourt would speat and read chinicee, and if rack book a special dialect for his study, outside assistance would never be acoded. luch men must be well paid and Zwin a responsible position. He salary under £300 year, and no position. imperior to that of the Deputy tezistrar will ever scoure efficient now. Chinese interpretation has cons answered fairly well in the Police Court whey should it not do in the Supreme_ Court? I believe there would be a in the considerable unprovemiuch in interpritation in the Supreme Court if the 67 the interpreters at the Magistracy were- promoted but still it would not be what it ought to be. Ith. may Allai c paradoxical to say so but thorough. Knowledge of English is of more s smiportance than thorough knowledge- of Chmère, The Englishman who Knows both thoroughly, is of course the model interpreter, but behinden aus Educated Englishman with a fair Knowledge of Chruise and an educated Chinaman with a fair knowledge_ of English, the former is to my infinitely preferable. A man su sukes hund understand fully and accurately what is said by chinese witness without being able to speak
2026-05-21 18:23:41 · Baseline
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40.

Su

fance to follow in their fortstips. Du

few years rally official in the tourt would speat and read chinicee, and

if

rack book a special dialect for his study, outside assistance would never

be acoded.

luch men must be well paid and Zwin a responsible position. He salary

under £300

year, and no position. imperior to that of the Deputy tezistrar will ever scoure efficient now.

Chinese interpretation has cons answered fairly well in the Police Court whey should it not do in the Supreme_ Court? I believe there would be a

in the

considerable unprovemiuch in interpritation in the Supreme Court if

the

67

the interpreters at the Magistracy were- promoted but still it would not be

what it ought to be. Ith.

may Allai

c

paradoxical to say so but thorough. Knowledge of English is of more s smiportance than thorough knowledge- of Chmère, The Englishman who Knows both thoroughly, is of course the model interpreter, but behinden aus Educated Englishman with a

fair Knowledge of Chruise and an educated Chinaman with a fair knowledge_ of English, the former is to my infinitely preferable.

A man su

sukes

hund

understand fully

and accurately what is said by chinese witness without being able to

speak

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