New reporter question.. should I use (sic)?

[Heather]

I had an attorney who kept saying Mr. Angeles and Mrs. Trejo. When I got home and looked closer at the caption, I see that he was saying it wrong.. should have been Mrs. Angeles, Mr. Trejo. Do I put (sic) the first time it comes up or all or just leave it? Also.. i think I remember the brackets being something different than ( ) ?

Thanks,
Heather

[Phil Stillerman]

I would use [sic] in the first instance only.

[Cathryn Bauer]

You're on the right track. Put [sic] the first time he says it, and leave it the other times.

It looks like this: [sic].

[Amy]

I agree. Only use (sic) the first time and leave the others.

[Phil Stillerman]

I think in this instance I would put the [sic] after the full (incorrect) name, especially since Specialist(s) may or may not be pluralized properly; although I wouldn't fault you for putting it after the word Associated.

[Heather]

Thanks!!!

[Holly]

Heather, do you have Morson's English Guide for Court Reporters? It is an excellent resource for court reporters. She addresses the word sic on page 69 and 70 of the Second Edition. She says to place in brackets and italicize if available, and of course these days we can use both. I understand your reluctance to use [sic] in this instance because it was the lawyer speaking and not a witness. Don't you think it's odd, though, that the witness didn't notice and make a correction? Was this a depo or a court hearing? Any chance the caption was typed incorrectly? Well, just trying to think of different scenarios. Use your best judgment on this one and good luck.

[Charles P. Carmody]

This is a great question and something I've run across many times in my career. I couldn't tell if this atty is your client or opposing counsel.

Anyway, I was taught that if it's not going to change the outcome of the case, and if you would rather not embarrass the atty, then use the {sic} .

But I also see the point of view of the other adivice you recieved.

You can bet that if this atty has any ego at all, he will be just a little perturbed. Plus, he'll probably deny that he mispronounced the names and blame it on you. I would just write it as it appears in the caption (and make sure that the caption is correct, or the reporter is the one who looks foolish.)

Chances are, he/she will appreciate you cleaning them up, and who knows, if he/she is not a client, they just might become one.

[Cynthia]

I learned early in my career to never trust the caption. Secretaries make mistakes too. The attorney may be correct. I would call and make sure before I used (sic) because YOU could be wrong. I also learned that even though there is an error in the caption we are not to change the caption. That's probably nothing new to anyone. Just my 2 cents.