Habitus, field and discourse
Interpreting as a socially situated activity
Published online: 12 May 2004
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.15.2.03ing
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.15.2.03ing
Taking Toury’s model of norms as its starting point, this paper examines the macro–micro relationship evident within the context and culture of interpreting activity. The paper theorises this relationship drawing on Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and field and Bernstein’s theory of pedagogic discourse. It proposes a model which directs the analysis of norms to the social dimension of language and cognition, as well as to the sociological and ideological determinants of what counts as a legitimate meaning in a particular context. The paper draws on the analysis of a particular context—the interpreted political asylum interview. However, it suggests the possibility of applying a similar theoretical model across a range of interpreting contexts.
Résumé
Cet article examine la relation dite macro-micro qui est bien connue dans le contexte et la culture de l’activité d’interprétation. Il s’appuie au départ sur le concept de norme élaboré par Toury et fait ensuite appel aux concepts d’habitus et de champ (Bourdieu), ainsi qu’à la théorie du discours pédagogique (Bernstein). Se dégage un modèle qui aiguille l’analyse des normes vers celle de la dimension sociale du langage et de la cognition, de même que vers l’analyse des déterminants sociologiques et idéologiques d’un sens supposé légitime au regard d’un contexte déterminé. L’article étaye un tel contexte en analysant l’interprétation d’une interview concernant l’asile politique. Il suggère enfin qu’un modèle théorique analogue peut s’appliquer à un éventail d’autres contextes d’interprétation.
Article outline
- Introduction
- A framework for the empirical and theoretical investigation of norms
- An application of the model in interpreted political asylum interviews
- Discussion
- Notes
References
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