What should a transcriptionist do with pronouns during testimony?

A transcriptionist should keep the pronoun used by the witness during testimony to accurately reflect the spoken words and maintain the integrity of the original statement. This approach preserves the context of the testimony and ensures that the emotions and nuances expressed by the witness are captured authentically.

Maintaining the pronoun is particularly essential in legal transcription, as it can affect the interpretation of statements, the relationships involved, and the clarity of the testimony. The use of the original pronoun helps to avoid any misrepresentation of what was said and ensures that the transcribed document remains a true and reliable record.

In contrast, replacing pronouns with names, changing them to gender-neutral terms, or omitting them altogether could lead to confusion or misrepresentation of the testimony, undermining the accuracy and reliability that is critical in legal transcription work.