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Part of
Field Research on Translation and Interpreting
Edited by Regina Rogl, Daniela Schlager and Hanna Risku
[Benjamins Translation Library 165] 2025
► pp. 74–95

Chapter 3
Retrospective ethnography and remembrance

A narrative of UNOG field missions

ORCID logo | University of Geneva | United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
 | University of Geneva | United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
The present chapter seeks to promote a methodological discussion around the pertinence of drawing on retrospective reflexive ethnography and the notion of ‘past presencing’ to investigate the practice of interpreting in field missions deployed by the United Nations. The chapter provides an overview of the methodological choices that were made after analysing the implications of the second author’s positionality as an insider and after considering the different methods that could be used to make the most of her wide experience as an interpreter who had been deployed to many field missions. After highlighting the particularities of practical issues related to interpreting in said missions, we examine the application of the findings to design and implement interpreter training, which brings about institutional changes at the UN that will eventually have an impact on the interpreters’ work.
Keywords: interpreting, reflexive ethnography, retrospective ethnography, past presencing, field missions, international organisation, United Nations, training
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: Defining the context
  • 2.Ethnographic approach in interpreting studies
  • 3.Understanding the researcher’s positionality
  • 4.Choosing the ethnographic method
    • 4.1Reflexive ethnography
    • 4.2Retrospective ethnography
  • 5.The study: Researching the practice of interpreting in UN field missions
    • 5.1Conversations between the interviewer and the narrator
    • 5.2Conversations with other interpreters at UNOG headquarters
    • 5.3Semi-structured interviews with Chief Interpreters and management
  • 6.Conclusion
  • 7.Disclaimer
  • Author queries
  • Notes
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
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