Follow Multilingual Testimony as It Happens With Prevail’s Real-Time Translation

The witness answers in Spanish. On their own screens, lead counsel reads the testimony in English while a colleague in São Paulo follows along in Portuguese.

That's real-time translation in a Prevail Session. When a Session is configured for multiple languages, each person following the AI rough transcript can choose a language. Segments spoken in other languages then display in that language during the proceeding. Prevail supports more than 70 languages.

Here's how it works and where it helps counsel in multilingual depositions and arbitration hearings.

What Live Translation Does

In a Prevail Session configured for multiple languages, the AI Rough panel includes translation options. By default, each segment of the transcript shows the language that was spoken. A witness's answers in Spanish appear in Spanish, and the English questions put to them stay in English.

Turn translation on and choose a language. Every segment in another language then displays in the language you chose. Segments already in that language stay as they are.

Each person controls their own view. Two colleagues can read the same testimony in two different languages at the same time.

Setting up a Multilingual Session

Translation starts at scheduling. When you request a Session from Prevail, list the languages it needs as special instruction on the scheduling form. You can also tell the scheduling team directly.

The scheduling team then sets two things for the Session:

• Primary language. This is the language spoken most often. When it isn't clear which language someone is speaking, the transcript leans toward the primary language.
• Translation options. These are the languages the transcript can be translated into during the Session.

A few details make setup easier. Note the languages you expect to hear during testimony and any languages your team wants to read. If you know which language will be spoken most, include that as well since it helps the scheduling team set the primary language.

Pick Your Language and Read Along

During the Session, setting your language takes a few clicks using the toolbar and the AI Rough panel. Each new segment streams in first in the language that was spoken. Once processing completes, it displays the translated text. To see exactly what was said, click the Translate icon on that segment. The segment returns to its original language.

The Difference for Your Case Team

A few things change when everyone can read the testimony in their own language.

Everyone Reads in the Language They Know Best

Cross-border matters often bring together lawyers with different first languages. Local counsel abroad and in-house lawyers at an overseas parent company can follow the same testimony as trial counsel, each in the language they read most comfortably. Everyone arrives at the next break having followed the same answers.

The Original Is One Click Away

Translation helps you understand an answer quickly, and the witness's own words are always there, too. Click a segment's Translate icon to display it in the language that was spoken. A bilingual attorney can check nuance or a term of art in any answer that matters to the case. You decide where to look closer.

Testimony in More Than One Language Stays Easy To Follow

Some proceedings move between languages. The transcript keeps each segment in its original language, so you can always tell which language an answer was given in. With translation on, the whole transcript reads in the language you chose. Switch it off to see every segment in its original language.

It Lives Inside the AI Rough Panel

Translation sits in the same AI Rough panel you use to follow testimony. There's no separate tool to open during the Session.

Working With Interpreters and the Certified Record

Translations in the AI Rough panel are AI-assisted. They help everyone on your team stay close to the testimony while the interpreter and court reporter do their work.

In a foreign-language deposition, a certified interpreter's role stays the same. The record works the way it always has, too. The court reporter scopes and certifies the transcript after the proceeding.

Add Translation to Your Next Session

For your next multilingual deposition or arbitration hearing, list the languages in the Notes/Special Instructions section of your Session request. The scheduling team takes it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does real-time translation work in a deposition?

In a Session configured for multiple languages, each segment of the AI rough transcript first displays in the language that was spoken. When you turn translation on and choose a language, segments in other languages display in your chosen language once processing completes.

How many languages does Prevail support?

Prevail supports more than 70 languages and works with common audio and video formats. The scheduling team sets the translation options for each Session based on the languages you request.

Can I see what the witness actually said?

Yes. Click the Translate icon on any segment to view it in its original language.

Does everyone on the team see the same language?

Not necessarily. Each person controls the language their own transcript displays in, so colleagues can read the same testimony in different languages.

Is the translated transcript the certified record?

No. Translations in the AI Rough panel help counsel follow testimony in the moment. The court reporter scopes and certifies the record after the proceeding.