Proofing Question

[Erin Donato]

My proofer asked me today about a transcript she's proofing for another reporter in our office. This reporter re[ported a shelter hearing, and one of the attorneys wanted to read a "transcribed statement" into the record. It was a two-person conversation, so the attorney had another lady in the courtroom read for the second voice. This reporter put the names of the actual people talking with quotes around their statements. I told my proofer I thought it should be put in as the names of the people talking in the transcribed statement, and still with quotes. It doesn't work to be a Q/A format, so it has to be in colloquy. Has this situation come up for anyone else? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Jennie Ann]

There's a variety of ways to handle this in the written transcript.

Some folks might indent the entire quoted matter, say, in 10 spaces.

But let's say Mr. Jones and Ms. Miller are reading the testimony of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I might handle it like this:

MR. JONES: I will be Mr. Smith
MS. MILLER: I will be Mrs. Smith.
Mr. Smith (Mr. Jones reading): I did not have a relationship with that woman.
Mrs. Smith (Ms. Miller reading): Oh, yes, you did. I saw you with my eyes.
Mr. Smith (Mr. Jones reading): But you were not wearing your glasses.
Mrs. Smith (Ms. Miller reading): I don't need glasses to that happening.
MR. JONES: Thank you, Ms. Miller, for assisting me.
MS. MILLER: You're welcome.

Notice I kept the "real" colloquy of the proceedings in all caps, but the quoted portion, I initial-capped the colloquy.

This is how I'd do it. HTH! :-)

[Erin Donato]

That's very helpful. I hadn't thought of it that way. I think that makes the situation more understandable. Thanks for your input!

[Thomas Herman]

I'd agree with Jennie. The example is very easy to read/follow.