Of punitive translation, legal meaning, and the interpreter’s empathy

This article examines the intersection of punitive translation, legal meaning, and the role of the interpreter’s empathy in the judicial context. It explores how translation practices within legal systems can inadvertently (or deliberately) reinforce punitive outcomes by shaping how legal texts and testimonies are interpreted and understood. It highlights the power dynamics inherent in legal translation and the challenges interpreters face when navigating between linguistic fidelity and the ethical imperative of empathy. By foregrounding the interpreter’s role as both a linguistic mediator and a moral agent, the discussion underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of legal meaning-making, one that accounts for the socio-cultural and emotional dimensions of communication. Ultimately, the work calls for greater recognition of the interpreter’s agency.