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Article published In: Target
Vol. 29:3 (2017) ► pp.464–485

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Bilingual formal meeting as a context of translatoriality

ORCiD logo with link | University of Vaasa
 | University of Tampere
 | University of Vaasa
Published online: 20 September 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.16017.kos
Abstract
Drawing on the concept of translatorial action by Justa Holz-Mänttäri, this article sets out to analyse the role of translation in a bilingual formal meeting without any professional translation or interpreting. The analysis reveals the central role of translatorial activities: 60% of the turns include some kind of translatoriality. The chair and expert speakers stand out as producers for most of the translations. Self-translation is the most prominent form of translation, but otherwise the translator role tends to vary dynamically with the role of the source text producer. Three types of translatorial action with varying degrees of replication of content were found: duplicating, summarizing, and expanding. In the meeting context, translatorial action is the primary means of enabling participation for all, regardless of language skills or language background, and this action was used by the participants in flexible and dynamic ways.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Aim, data and method
  • 3.Translatorial action and translatoriality
  • 4.Language practices in bilingual formal meetings
    • 4.1The degree of translatoriality
    • 4.2Actors taking up translatorial roles
    • 4.3Types of translatorial action
      • 4.3.1Duplicating
      • 4.3.2Summarizing
      • 4.3.3Expanding
    • 4.4Participants’ testimonies
  • 5.Conclusions and suggestions for future work
  • Notes
  • References
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