Linguistic Disadvantage in Jury Trials

Lessons from Hong Kong and Beyond

Eva N.S. Ng (Associate Professor, University of Hong Kong)

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Hardback

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English

Edinburgh University Press
30 November 2025

Sociolinguistics; Semantics; Translation & interpretation; Law & society; Legal profession: general

Eva Ng's groundbreaking work delves into post-colonial Hong Kong courtrooms, where jury service is exclusive to well-educated individuals deemed capable of understanding English proceedings. Using authentic audio recordings of two jury trials to assess jurors' comprehension, Ng highlights the challenges faced by Chinese jurors, who labour under the double disadvantage of unfamiliarity with legal discourse and insufficient proficiency in the English language used by the court. Ng's study goes beyond conventional textual analysis by examining also the impact of speakers' physical voicing on jurors' comprehension. She addresses the notion of trial by peers, issues of linguistic diversity, disadvantage and inequality in jury service participation in a wider context. Ng advocates for the use of court interpreters to improve comprehension and ensure equitable justice. Her interdisciplinary study offers valuable insights and recommendations for researchers and practitioners in linguistics, law, translation and interpreting, aiming to enhance the quality of interpretation in courtrooms and promote fairer legal outcomes.

By: Eva N.S. Ng (Associate Professor University of Hong Kong)
Imprint: Edinburgh University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781399510691
ISBN 10: 139951069X
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 30 November 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

List of figures and tables List of abbreviations Preface Acknowledgements Dedication 1. Linguistic Disadvantage and Right to a Fair Trial 2. Trial by Jury and Jury Selection. Language Matters 3. Jury Comprehension in Anglo-American Courtrooms 4. The Hong Kong Juries and Courts 5. The Study. Data, Methodology, and Results 6. Voice Projection and Jury Comprehension 7. Interpreting for jurors 8. Conclusion Bibliography Appendices Index

Eva N.S. Ng is Associate Professor of Translation at the University of Hong Kong