Muna Shishani authenticated an Arabic glossary admitted into evidence and explained Chechen surname forms and translation limits. On cross-examination, she agreed that Chechen speakers commonly use Arabic expressions without speaking Arabic.
WitnessFBI
Muna Shishani
FBI language specialist who translates Chechen and Arabic.
Appeared2015 Federal Trial
54 lines·3 proceedings·2 mentions
About
Muna Shishani testified for the prosecution on Day 39 as an FBI language specialist certified to translate Chechen and Arabic. She explained that the account name Dzhokhar Tsarni used the Chechen surname form, while Tsarnaev included a Russian addition used on official documents.
Shishani authenticated Government Exhibit 1407, an Arabic glossary she had partly prepared and fully verified. Chakravarty moved it into evidence, Fick stated no objection, and the court admitted it. She explained ummah as nation, specifically the Muslim nation, and translated shaytan, which was not on the list, as satan or devil. She also said other linguists reviewed the Chechen translations and acknowledged that isolated words might not convey the full context of the source writing.
On cross-examination, Fick developed the distinction between using Arabic expressions and speaking Arabic. Shishani agreed that non-Arabic speakers commonly use greetings and expressions such as Insha'Allah and alhamdulilah, and that Chechen speakers incorporate Arabic words into speech and writing. The government asked no further questions, and she was excused.
Trial Record (3)
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