Taniguchi v. Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

Holding: Because the ordinary meaning of “interpreter” is someone who translates orally from one language to another, the category “compensation of interpreters” in 28 U.S.C. § 1920(6), which includes that category among the costs that may be awarded to prevailing parties in federal court lawsuits, does not include the cost of document translation.

Plain English Summary: “Because the ordinary meaning of ‘interpreter’ is someone who translates orally from one language to another,” … ‘compensation of interpreters’ in [28 U.S.C.] § 1920(6) does not include costs for document translation.” Put even more simply, people who win federal-court lawsuits cannot be reimbursed by the losing party for any of their document translation costs.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Alito on May 21, 2012. Justice Ginsburg filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

• Opinion analysis: “Compensation of interpreters” does not include document translation
• Argument recap: Statutory text vs. tradition and experience: May a federal district court tax the cost of translating written documents?
• Argument preview: Does the federal costs statute authorize an award for document translation costs?
• Petition of the day

Briefs and Documents

Merits Brief for the Petitioner

• Brief of  Kouichi Taniguchi
• Reply of  Kouichi Taniguchi

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

• Brief of Interpreting and Translation Professors
• Brief of  the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators 

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

• Brief for Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd.

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

• Brief for Chicago Area Translators and Interpreters Association et al.

Certiorari-Stage Briefs

• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner’s reply