ABSTRACT
Across the Dutch Caribbean a high prevalence of intellectual impairment is found among male prisoners. However, a state-of-the-art guideline for conducting cross-cultural translation and validation for measures used to diagnose this impairment does not yet exist. In this paper, I propose the use of the Beaton method along with suggestions for adaptations concerning the forensic field. Additionally, a brief history of the Papiamento language is provided. Based on the experiences of translating and validating diagnostic tools for the Papiamento language in the Bonaire prison, the following suggestions are made: (a) adapt the official orthography for better readability, (b) select lesser complicated assessment tools, adequate for the forensic field, (c) use schoolteachers and local clinicians as translators if professionals are not available, and (d) do not handle exceedingly strict inclusion criteria in order to prevent decreasing feasibility of a validation study within small forensic populations. Throughout, the importance of knowledge about the development of a language, in this case the post-colonial influence on Papiamento, is stressed. Finally, a recommendation is made concerning future research on diagnostic assessments using mainly spoken languages, including the use of audio as an addition to written assessment tasks.
