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I am fluent in English. I have been for many years. But until a couple months ago, I thought throw in throwing a game was similar to throwing a party. One is a

I am fluent in English. I have been for many years. But until a couple months ago, I thought throw in throwing a game was similar to throwing a party. One is a fun activity, the other could be a criminal offence. If I were being questioned in a court, I would definitely request an interpreter. I wouldn't want to inadvertently confess to a crime I didn't commit because I didn't quite understand the linguistic nuances of the question.

jonny_eh 9y ago
If you were a professional baseball player, you'd now what "throwing a game" was.
- smnrchrds 9y ago
  The problem is I don't know what I don't know, and I wouldn't want to risk finding it out in a court. I would never take that chance with my freedom. It's one of those cases where what is the worst thing that could happen can be quite bad.
nnfy 9y ago
Aren't you worried about your story not quite coming through because you're speaking through someone else?
- milcron 9y ago
  Well, being fluent/conversational means you can still hear what words the translator chooses, and can verify it means what you meant. It's just that their word choice would be more precise.
  - nnfy 9y ago
    You would lose so much nuance. And I dont think you are in a position to verify anything since you claim not to speak the language. It sounds like a bad idea all around.
    - smnrchrds 9y ago
      I wouldn't pretend I don't speak the language. I would simply request to have an interpreter present similar to how I would request a lawyer. I would check with my lawyer to see if I have the right to an interpreter. If I do, I would absolutely use it. I'm more concerned that the persecution, understanding how stressful the situation is for me and how not being a native speaker I wouldn't necessarily be familiar with legalese or very formal lexicon, uses it against me to extract a confession due to my confusion, than I am that the nuances would be lost through an interpreter.

jonny_eh 9y ago

If you were a professional baseball player, you'd now what "throwing a game" was.

smnrchrds 9y ago
The problem is I don't know what I don't know, and I wouldn't want to risk finding it out in a court. I would never take that chance with my freedom. It's one of those cases where what is the worst thing that could happen can be quite bad.

nnfy 9y ago

Aren't you worried about your story not quite coming through because you're speaking through someone else?

milcron 9y ago
Well, being fluent/conversational means you can still hear what words the translator chooses, and can verify it means what you meant. It's just that their word choice would be more precise.
- nnfy 9y ago
  You would lose so much nuance. And I dont think you are in a position to verify anything since you claim not to speak the language. It sounds like a bad idea all around.
  - smnrchrds 9y ago
    I wouldn't pretend I don't speak the language. I would simply request to have an interpreter present similar to how I would request a lawyer. I would check with my lawyer to see if I have the right to an interpreter. If I do, I would absolutely use it. I'm more concerned that the persecution, understanding how stressful the situation is for me and how not being a native speaker I wouldn't necessarily be familiar with legalese or very formal lexicon, uses it against me to extract a confession due to my confusion, than I am that the nuances would be lost through an interpreter.