Official Language.
Section 12
SEC. 12. Official Language. — The official language of all courts and their records shall be the Spanish language, until the first day of January, nineteen hundred and six. After that date English shall be the official language. But the Supreme Court, or any Court of First Instance, may, in its discretion, order a duplicate record in the English language to be made and duly enrolled in any action or proceeding, whenever the court shall determine that such duplicate record would promote the public convenience and the interests of the parties. Provided, That any party or his counsel may examine or cross-examine witnesses, or make an oral argument in English or a native dialect and the same shall be clearly interpreted into Spanish by a court interpreter; and a party or his counsel may submit a written or printed pleading or brief in English or a native dialect, if at the same time he accompanies it by a correct Spanish translation: And provided further, That in cases in which all the parties or counsel stipulate in writing, and the court consents, the proceedings may be conducted in English or a native dialect only, but in such case the record of the pleadings, bills of exceptions, and judgments shall be made in Spanish as well as in the language in which the cause was conducted.