CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12] — Page 73

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

C

72

59

have had opportunities of observing

tion to as to be able to

the interpretation

Jorne

3

opinion.

Supreme Court - I regret to

Notice the fact that the interpretation in this Court is deplorably defective. This arises in my opinion, from

two facts. First, the amount of knowledge of the Chinese language possessed by the present Interpreter of the Court is so limited that it is impossible for him to discharge his interpretorial duties in a satisfactory manner. He speaks Chinese very fluently and for ordinary purposes, his knowledge

would carry him through smoothly; but

to undertake the responsible duties of an interpreter in a Court of Justice, where questions of great nicety and

precision are often put and where it is required that the least shade of difference in the meaning of a phrase should be distinguished, he is utterly incompetent. The English and Chinese are too totally different languages, not only in pronunciation

but also in idioms and construction.

sentences, and no one is capable

of giving a proper rendering of the

one into the other or vice versa -

without a competent knowledge

of them. Many a time have I heard a simple and plain English question put.

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C 72 59 have had opportunities of observing tion to as to be able to the interpretation Jorne 3 opinion. Supreme Court - I regret to Notice the fact that the interpretation in this Court is deplorably defective. This arises in my opinion, from two facts. First, the amount of knowledge of the Chinese language possessed by the present Interpreter of the Court is so limited that it is impossible for him to discharge his interpretorial duties in a satisfactory manner. He speaks Chinese very fluently and for ordinary purposes, his knowledge would carry him through smoothly; but to undertake the responsible duties of an interpreter in a Court of Justice, where questions of great nicety and precision are often put and where it is required that the least shade of difference in the meaning of a phrase should be distinguished, he is utterly incompetent. The English and Chinese are too totally different languages, not only in pronunciation but also in idioms and construction. sentences, and no one is capable of giving a proper rendering of the one into the other or vice versa - without a competent knowledge of them. Many a time have I heard a simple and plain English question put.
Baseline (Original)
5-8. C 72 59 have had opportunities of observing tion to as to be able to the interpretation Jorne 3 opinion . Supreme Court - I regret to Notice the fact that the interpretatio in this Court is deplorably defectiol. This arises in neef opinion, from two facts. First He amount of kiwwledge of the Chinese language possessed by the prevent Sutosproter of the Court is so limited that it it impossible for him to discharge his interpretorial duties in a satisfactory manner. He apeak. Chinese orry fluently and for ordinary purposes, his knowledge. would- carry heine through smoothly; but- to undertake the responsible: duties of an interpretes in a Court of Justice. where questions of great micety and are precision often put and where it is required that the least shade of differecios in the meaning of a phrase- should be distineguested, he is utterly incompetent. The English and Chinese are too totally different. languages, not only in pronunciation but also in idioms and construction. sentences, and no one is expable_ of of proing a proper rendering of the Dei the other or biel bersa-- from without a competent knowledge- of them. Many a limme küve I heard. a simple and plain luglish quection put.
2026-05-21 18:24:07 · Baseline
View content

5-8.

C

72

59

have had opportunities of observing

tion to as to be able to

the interpretation

Jorne

3

opinion .

Supreme Court - I regret to

Notice the fact that the interpretatio in this Court is deplorably defectiol. This arises in neef opinion, from

two facts. First He amount of kiwwledge of the Chinese language possessed by the prevent Sutosproter of the Court is so limited that it it impossible for him to discharge his interpretorial duties in a satisfactory manner. He apeak. Chinese orry fluently and for ordinary purposes, his knowledge. would-

carry heine through smoothly; but-

to undertake the responsible: duties of an interpretes in a Court of Justice. where questions of great micety and

are

precision often put and where it is required that the least shade of differecios in the meaning of a phrase- should be distineguested, he is utterly incompetent. The English and Chinese are too totally different. languages, not only in pronunciation

but also in idioms and construction.

sentences, and no one is expable_

of

of proing a proper rendering of the

Dei

the other or biel bersa--

from without a competent knowledge- of them. Many a limme küve I heard. a simple and plain luglish quection

put.

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