Abstract

Drawing on unique observational data from police training with child volunteers, this study evaluates the linguistic patterns used by officers for transmitting complex, legally-binding information to children during the opt-out procedure (which determines how children’s evidence is presented in court). It is shown that while the officers realise the information is difficult to explain and understand, they lack the skills to monitor and manage their linguistic choices and to respond to the children’s needs. Van Lier’s model of levels of language awareness is used to show where the problems arise, and it is proposed that introducing language awareness into police-child interview training could be empowering for officers. With greater control over the impact of their discourse, officers could materially improve the quality of the opt-out procedure delivery.

摘要

这项研究利用警方对儿童志愿者的培训所获得的独特观察数据，评估了官员在退出时向儿童传递复杂的，具有法律约束力的信息所使用的语言模式程序（确定如何在法庭上陈述儿童的证据）。结果表明，尽管警官意识到信息难以解释和理解，但他们缺乏监督和管理其语言选择以及满足儿童需求的技能。范利尔（Van Lier）的语言意识水平模型用于显示问题出在哪里，并建议将语言意识引入警察-儿童面试培训中可以增强警员的能力。通过更好地控制话语的影响，官员可以从实质上提高选择退出程序的质量。