Developing professional thinking and acting within the
field of interpreting
The aim of this article is to contribute to the discussion about how
professional thinking and acting is developed and spread within the field of
interpreting. As a theoretical starting point for the discussion, the central factors
affecting strategies that interpreters can and do use in performing interpreting tasks
are introduced. As a second basis for the discussion the concept of practical and tacit
knowledge is discussed. Three empirical studies are then presented.
The first one deals with how students of interpreting and interpreters select strategies
during the performance of an interpreting task. The other two concentrate on practical
and tacit knowledge within the field of interpreting. Ideally, interpreting performance
is based on each situation, makes good use of the individual interpreter’s knowledge
and mental capacity and respects prevailing norms. The empirical studies presented
show the development of thinking and acting related to interpreting among interpreting
students and interpreters. The studies indicate that students are aware of and have integrated essential issues related to professional thinking and acting. However, among students and practising interpreters, as well as within the whole field of interpreting, there still is a need to both develop and to transfer professional thinking and acting.