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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 19:1 (2021) ► pp.83–103

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Reconceptualising the interpreter’s role

A perspective from social identity theories

 | University of Birmingham
Published online: 11 June 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.20012.yua
Abstract
The interpreter’s role and performance in interpreting-facilitated interactions have attracted considerable scholarly attention since the 1970s. Seminal field research on interpreting in courtrooms, in hospitals, and in war zones describe interpreters as active participants. Nevertheless, Hale, S. 2006. Themes and methodological issues in Court Interpreting research. Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, 51, 205–228.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar and 2006. Research and methodology in healthcare interpreting. Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, 51, 135–159.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar critique that much data-driven research in the area suffers from a lack of theoretical conceptualisations, and is short of diversified sociocultural and linguistic contexts for investigation. To strengthen the theoretical background to research on the interpreters’ role, this study draws on social psychology theories of social identity and optimal distinctiveness, and the sociolinguistic notion of face, to develop an interdisciplinary framework for conceptualising how identity claims may influence interpreters’ choice of linguistic strategies in delivery. The English-Mandarin political press conference interpreting context is examined to illustrate how the proposed framework may shed light on our understanding of interpreters’ behaviour in action.
Résumé
Le rôle et l’attitude de l’interprète dans les situations d’interprétation ont attiré l’attention d’un nombre considérable de chercheurs depuis les années 1970. Le travail de terrain sur la pratique de l’interprétation dans les salles d’audience, dans les hôpitaux et dans les zones de guerre a révélé le rôle des interprètes comme participants actifs. Néanmoins, Hale, S. 2006. Themes and methodological issues in Court Interpreting research. Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, 51, 205–228.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar et 2006. Research and methodology in healthcare interpreting. Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, 51, 135–159.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar estiment qu’une grande partie de la recherche empirique dans le domaine souffre d’un manque de conceptualisations théoriques et ignore la diversité des contextes socioculturels et linguistiques dans lesquels ces situations apparaissent. Pour renforcer le contexte théorique de la recherche sur le rôle des interprètes, cette étude s’appuie sur des théories de psychologie sociale, notamment autour de l’identité sociale et de la distinction optimale, ainsi que sur la notion sociolinguistique du visage, pour développer un cadre interdisciplinaire destiné à conceptualiser la manière dont les revendications identitaires peuvent influencer le choix des interprètes au moment d’adopter une stratégie linguistique au cours de leur prestation. Le contexte d’interprétation de conférences de presse de nature politique, entre l’anglais et le mandarin, sert ici pour illustrer la manière dont le cadre analytique proposé ici peut éclairer notre compréhension du comportement des interprètes en action.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Social identity, optimal distinctiveness and interpreters’ role
  • 3.Political press conference interpreting as a case study
    • 3.1Interpretation for Chinese journalists
    • 3.2Interpretation for non-Chinese journalists
    • 3.3Interpretation for the Premier
  • 4.Discussions and conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
  • References
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