Publications
Publication details [#30716]
Schäffner, Christina. 2018. Power Complexity in Translated Political Discourse. In Baumgarten, Stefan and Jordi Cornellà-Detrell, eds. Translation and Global Spaces of Power (Translation, Interpreting and Social Justice in a Globalised World). Bristol: Multilingual Matters. pp. 144–160.
Publication type
Chapter in book
Publication language
English
Abstract
This chapter explores the hidden and visible power complexities of translation and interpretation in mediatised political settings. The cross-cultural mediation of political discourse for the media and state institutions tends to be aligned with institutional values, ideological interests and political objectives. In such official settings, bureaucratic procedure, ideology and politics tend to overrule the translator’s and interpreter’s agency. When looking at specific situations and textual examples, it emerges that translated and interpreted political discourse is routinely revised, reshaped and recontextualised by various media professionals at several processing stages. Traditional conceptions of power cannot account for the decision-making processes underlying these texts, which reflect socio-economic interests and complex (but largely hidden) power struggles between various stakeholders.
Source : Based on introduction in book