Chapter published in:
Non-professional Interpreting and Translation: State of the art and future of an emerging field of research
Edited by Rachele Antonini, Letizia Cirillo, Linda Rossato and Ira Torresi
[Benjamins Translation Library 129] 2017
► pp. 83–106

Chapter 5
Intercultural mediation and “(non)professional” interpreting in Italian healthcare institutions

This paper analyses interpreting activities performed by intercultural mediators in Italian healthcare services. It proposes a reflection on the type of professionalism that seems to be required in healthcare institutions where the issue of dealing with cultural differences between the patients and the operators is considered of fundamental importance. Our analysis shows that mediators address cultural differences along the lines of one of two orientations. The first treats cultural differences as a plurality of options, thus enhancing patients’ active participation and choice. The second is based on cultural essentialism and treats differences in terms of dos and don’ts, preventing interlocutors’ active participation. We suggest that in order to accomplish the task of dealing with cultural differences “professionally” in healthcare interaction, mediators and interpreters alike may be made aware of the advantages and risks involved in taking each of these two orientations.
Keywords: conversation analysis, intercultural mediation, healthcare institutions, recontextualisation
Article outline
  • 1.Intercultural mediation in Italian healthcare services
  • 2.Interpreting as intercultural mediation
  • 3.Aim of this paper
  • 4.Mediation as intercultural adaptation
    • 4.1Recontextualising renditions
    • 4.2Authorising recontextualisation
  • 5.Cultural essentialism
  • 6.Conclusions: Achieving professionalism in interpreting and intercultural mediation
  • References
Published online: 19 June 2017
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.129.05bar
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