Article published In:
BabelVol. 67:5 (2021) ► pp.553–578
Interpreting in Tanzania from the perspective of Tanzanian interpreters
Intercultural communication in inter/national dimensions
The study overviews the role of interpreting services in Tanzania, presenting mainly the experience of practicing freelance interpreters. The two official languages of Tanzania – English and Swahili – have separate roles in the country. Although most Tanzanians accept English as a necessary medium of intercultural communication, Swahili is perceived as an important part of Tanzanian national identity. It is the country’s lingua franca. On the one hand, Tanzania aims to preserve communication in Swahili; on the other hand, there is an inevitable need for intercultural communication with the rest of the world that grows especially in the context of globalization. The paper focuses on the role, status, education, working languages, conditions of Tanzanian interpreters, and the requirements of local and international clients. The study also creates a broader context that mentions crucial historical moments that have influenced the country’s current character of intercultural communication.
Article outline
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Tracing the importance of indirect communication in Tanzanian history
- Language situation in today’s Tanzania
- Current situation of interpreting in Tanzania from interpreters’ perspective
- Interpreters in Tanzania – their path to the profession
- Situations requiring interpreting services in Tanzania
- Types of interpreting mostly performed in Tanzania
- Working languages and strategies to bridge intercultural gaps
- Challenges faced by interpreters and possibilities of self-improvement
- Conclusion
- Notes
-
References
References (54)
References
Interviews
Correia Nune, Jose (Head of Cooperation and Press at the Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 18 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Iddi Massoud, Gossaji (interpreter in Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Chelsea Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 25 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Karani, Michael (Director of the Centre for Communication Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam), interview by Elizaveta Getta, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, 23 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Karugaba, Valentine (interpreter in Tanzania and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam), interview by Elizaveta Getta, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, 27 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Kibwe, Amani (interpreter in Tanzania and owner of translation and interpretation agency A G International Language Services), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Golden Jubilee Tower, Dar es Salaam, 19 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Kristomus, Faraja (interpreter in Tanzania and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam), interview by Elizaveta Getta, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, 26 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Kubhota, Victor (interpreter in Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Best Bite Restaurant, Dar es Salaam, 22 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Likwelile, Doris (Teaching Centre Manager at the British Council Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, British Council Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 19 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Makaa David, Loserian (interpreter in Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Corporate Language Services & Development Communication, Dar es Salaam, 26 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Matabaro, Livin (interpreter in Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 15 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Mbise, Susanne (Information Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 18 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Muro-Temu, Anna (Visibility Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 18 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Mwinuka, Liyenja (lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, University of Dar es Salaam), interview by Elizaveta Getta, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, 17 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Nduku, Salome and Alfred Mtawali (establishers of EAITA), interview by Elizaveta Getta and Michael Rada, CJ Restaurant, Nairobi, 26 July 2019, Kenya, audio recording available upon request.
Ndunguste, Julius (owner of the interpreting agency JHN Services), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Double Tree Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 18 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Ngunangwa-Mwalongo, Rose (Project Officer at the UNESCO National Office to Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, UNESCO National Office to Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 25 September 2019, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available upon request.
Parsalaw, Dorcas (Head of the Language Courses at the Goethe-Institut Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Goethe-Institut Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, 24 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Ruppiah, Elise (owner of the language agency Fun Lungha), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Flames Restaurant, Dar es Salaam, 24 January 2020, Tanzania, transcript based in the note-taking made during the interview available on request.
Shoo, Innocent (interpreter in Tanzania), interview by Elizaveta Getta, Chelsea Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 15 September 2019, Tanzania, audio recording available upon request.
Warambo, Paul (Translating and Training Managaer of Translators Without Borders in Nairobi), interview by Elizaveta Getta and Michael Rada, Java Restaurant, Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi, 24 July 2019, Kenya audio recording available upon request.
Archival sources
Seminar für Orientalische Sprachen, 1887–1933, I. HA Rep. 208 A, Nr. 404.
Seminar für Orientalische Sprachen, 1887–1933, I. HA Rep. 208 A, Nr. 213.
Seminar für Orientalische Sprachen, 1887–1933, I. HA Rep. 208 A, Nr. 217.
Seminar für Orientalische Sprachen, 1887–1933, I. HA Rep. 208 A, Nr. 460.
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