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Article published In: Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 36:1 (2023) ► pp.87–119

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Functions and transmission of humour in interpreter-mediated healthcare consultations

An exploratory study

ORCiD logo with link | University of Alcalá | FITISPos-UAH Research group
Published online: 6 December 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.20041.cri
Abstract
This paper presents an exploratory study of humour in multilingual, multicultural healthcare interactions with an interpreter. Data are part of a dataset of healthcare encounters observed in a hospital in Madrid (Spain) for a period of five months, which included the participation of six interpreters. Four aspects were analysed: (1) who initiates humour, (2) who receives humour, (3) what the functions of humour are, and (4) how interpreters behave vis-à-vis humour occurrences. Preliminary findings indicate that humour allows patients, healthcare providers and interpreters to pursue relational and transactional goals similar to those present in monolingual healthcare interactions, such as handling negative emotions. Interpreters are active co-constructors of humour, and all participants in the triad work together towards the establishment and recognition of a humorous frame, where hierarchical relationships seem to exist. Together with linguistic and cultural differences between participants, interpreters must appropriately render background and contextual knowledge to ensure humour maintains its intended function, which emphasises the healthcare interpreter’s active role in interaction. These findings call for greater attention to research on humour, as well as specific training for interpreters to highlight its relational power and, thus, ensure successful communication in multicultural, multilingual (healthcare) settings.
Resumen
Este artículo presenta un estudio exploratorio del humor en interacciones sanitarias multilingües y multiculturales con participación de un intérprete. Los datos forman parte de un conjunto de encuentros sanitarios con participación de seis intérpretes que se observaron en un hospital de Madrid durante un período de cinco meses. Se analizaron cuatro aspectos: (1) quién inicia el humor y (2) a quién lo dirige, (3) cuáles son las funciones de dicho humor y (4) cómo se comportan los intérpretes en este tipo de situaciones. Los resultados preliminares indican que el humor permite a pacientes, personal sanitario e intérpretes perseguir objetivos de índole relacional y transaccional similares a los presentes en interacciones sanitarias monolingües, como la gestión de emociones negativas. Los intérpretes son coconstructores activos del humor y todos los participantes de la tríada colaboran en el establecimiento y reconocimiento de un marco humorístico, en el que parecen existir relaciones jerárquicas. Junto con las diferencias lingüísticas y culturales entre los participantes, los intérpretes deben transmitir adecuadamente información sobre el trasfondo y el contexto para garantizar que el humor mantenga su función prevista, lo que subraya el papel activo del intérprete sanitario en la interacción. Estos resultados exigen una mayor atención a la investigación sobre el humor, así como una formación específica para los intérpretes que ponga de relieve el poder relacional de dicho humor y, por tanto, se garantice el éxito de la comunicación en entornos (sanitarios) multiculturales y multilingües.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.An overview of research on humour
    • 2.1Relevance of humour in healthcare provider–patient encounters
  • 3.An overview of healthcare interpreting
    • 3.1Rendering humour in intercultural and interlinguistic interpreter-mediated (healthcare) interactions
  • 4.Method
    • 4.1Data
    • 4.2Participants
    • 4.3Analysis
  • 5.Results
    • 5.1Humour dynamics in interpreter-mediated healthcare interactions
    • 5.2Functions of humour in interpreter-mediated healthcare interactions
      • 5.2.1Creating a relaxed atmosphere: You’re not pregnant
      • 5.2.2Handing negative emotions: Blood? I’ll need to fast and then I’m hungry
      • 5.2.3Helping another participant to handle negative emotions: Even my soul would hurt!
      • 5.2.4Communicating criticism, rejection or disagreement: We’re under the control of law and authority here
      • 5.2.5Managing power asymmetry: This is a medical consultation, not a supermarket
      • 5.2.6Saving face: But I need to ask anyway
    • 5.3Interpreter behaviours vis-à-vis humour in interpreter-mediated healthcare interactions
      • 5.3.1Complete transmission of humour
      • 5.3.2Partial transmission of humour
      • 5.3.3Omission of humour
      • 5.3.4Initiation of humour
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Final remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
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