Article published In:
BabelVol. 70:6 (2024) ► pp.783–805
From “Within” to “Beyond” in interpreting studies
Conceptualizing interpreting as a socio-political and historical shaping force and a source of inter/trans-disciplinary
conviviality
While there have been recent calls for an “outward turn” in (written) translation studies, interpreting
researchers have mostly taken an inward-looking view of interpreting and investigated it as a semi-closed system and an arguably
self-interested practice from within, despite the fact that interpreting in various forms and settings has been a co-constructing
factor in the transfer of knowledge and also a vital shaper of history, (geo)politics, culture, religion, communication, and our
human civilization. Going from “within” to “beyond,” this article conceptualizes interpreting as a consequential socio-political
and historical shaping force and a source of inter/trans-disciplinary conviviality and argues for an outward turn in interpreting
studies (IS). This article reviews pertinent recent studies with interdisciplinary and outward-looking features that have
endeavored to answer the important “so-what” question in IS. These studies highlight the vital role and far-reaching impact of
interpreting and interpreters in shaping different spheres of human communication and civilization across time and space. The
article also points out directions to move IS forward from a predominantly inward-looking practice. We argue that it is high time
we ventured out of our comfort zone, got off the well-trodden path, and took an outward-looking view of interpreting so that the
sub-discipline can have more meaningful and mutually enriching dialogues with other disciplines and subject areas.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Interpreting studies: An overview of its perspectives and approaches
- 3.Towards an outward turn in IS: Conceptualizing interpreting as a vital sociopolitical and historical shaping force and a source of
inter/trans-disciplinary conviviality
- 4.Emerging inter/trans-disciplinary studies that have looked outwards in IS
- 5.Future directions, avenues, and topics to explore
- 6.Conclusion
- Notes
-
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Cited by (1)
Cited by one other publication
Gu, Chonglong & Dechao Li
2024.
Interpreter-mediated political communication N-Grammed: a corpus-driven discourse analysis of government interpreters’ (ideological) use of formulaic language.
The Translator 30:4
► pp. 571 ff.

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