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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 8:2 (2010) ► pp.1–29

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Understanding High-level Interpreting in the Cold War

Preliminary notes

 | University of Salamanca |
 | University of Granada, Spain |
Published online: 1 October 2010
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.8.2.01bai
Abstract/Résumé
Ce travail sur les interprètes et l’interprétation de “haut-niveau” à l’époque de la Guerre Froide (1946-1991) est placé sous le signe de l’idéologie et des relations internationales. En effet, s’il y a une particularité qui distingue cette époque c’est bien son caractère de lutte idéologique à échelle planétaire entre le monde communiste représenté par l’ex-URSS et le monde capitaliste représenté par les Etats-Unis. Cependant, malgré les tensions de l’époque, les contacts et les réunions entre les dirigéants politiques des deux superpuissances ont été fréquents et ils ont eu lieu dans des contextes très différents : au sein des Nations Unies, lors de réunions “au sommet”, ou dans des rencontres bilaterales. Pour que cette conversation au niveau international ait pu se produire, les interprètes et les activités de médiation linguistique et culturelle se sont révélés indispensables.
Dans ce contexte très complexe, la politique menée sous la présidence de Richard Nixon (1968-1974) a été marquée par la personnalité du président lui-même et de son sécretaire d’État, Henry Kissinger. Ils ont été les responsables d’une politique étrangère entraînant des risques sur tous les plans. Sur le plan qui nous intéresse, cela s’est traduit par la méfiance par rapport à la présence des témoins lors de ses négotiations, dont les professionnels de l’interprétation, notamment ceux du Département d’État. En revanche, ils ont privilégié les diplomates ayant des connaissances linguistiques, et très proches du point de vue idéologique; ou les interprètes soviétiques et chinois.
Notre travail offre une riche matière à la réflexion en ce qu’elle place la médiation linguistique et culturelle au centre des échanges politiques et des négotiations diplomatiques, comme un élement idéologique et culturel propre des relations internationales.
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