Language analysis in the asylum procedure: a specification of the task in practice
Issue: Vol 23 No. 1 (2016)
Journal: International Journal of Speech Language and the Law
Subject Areas: Linguistics
DOI: 10.1558/ijsll.v23i1.17539
Abstract:
There is a general call for more transparency on procedures involving language analysis in the asylum procedure. This article describes some characteristics of the caseload in the Netherlands, presenting insights into the internal and external factors that make reliable performance of language analyses feasible. It is argued that examination of claimed origin (for use in the asylum procedure) is different from determination of origin (for use in the repatriation procedure), and the consequences of this distinction are discussed. Various types of casework are presented, and it is shown how the case-specific hypotheses to be tested help to define the expertise required to perform the analyses. The article contributes to a more thorough understanding of actual practice and the various types of casework encountered in real life, which is considered vital to the development of practical guidelines.
Author: Tina Cambier-Langeveld
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