Reconceptualising the interpreter’s role
A perspective from social identity theories
The interpreter’s role and performance in interpreting-facilitated interactions have attracted considerable
scholarly attention since the 1970s. Seminal field research on interpreting in courtrooms, in hospitals, and in war zones describe
interpreters as active participants. Nevertheless,
Hale (2006) and
Pöchhacker (2006) critique that much data-driven research in the area suffers from a lack
of theoretical conceptualisations, and is short of diversified sociocultural and linguistic contexts for investigation. To
strengthen the theoretical background to research on the interpreters’ role, this study draws on social psychology theories of
social identity and optimal distinctiveness, and the sociolinguistic notion of face, to develop an interdisciplinary framework for
conceptualising how identity claims may influence interpreters’ choice of linguistic strategies in delivery. The English-Mandarin
political press conference interpreting context is examined to illustrate how the proposed framework may shed light on our
understanding of interpreters’ behaviour in action.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Social identity, optimal distinctiveness and interpreters’ role
- 3.Political press conference interpreting as a case study
- 3.1Interpretation for Chinese journalists
- 3.2Interpretation for non-Chinese journalists
- 3.3Interpretation for the Premier
- 4.Discussions and conclusions
- Acknowledgments
- Notes
-
References