A description of interpreting in prisons
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Lluís Baixauli-Olmos
Abstract
Prison interpreting remains a virtually unexplored territory for researchers. As well as drawing greater attention to it, this paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the prison interpreting reality by describing the setting on the basis of accounts collected through observation, questionnaires and interviews with practising interpreters and other stakeholders. The data have been examined in order to identify determining factors for the prison setting with regard to interpreting. These factors have been organized according to a subject classification: domain and setting, organizational issues and security procedures, common problems and solutions, ethical principles and dilemmas, and professional role. The findings suggest that the elements particular to the setting, in this case security procedures or the conflictual rapport that is built between primary participants, have an impact on the practice and ethics of public service interpreters (PSIs), pointing to the notion that it is necessary to comprehend the environment in order to adopt an adequate ethical model and professional role.
Abstract
Prison interpreting remains a virtually unexplored territory for researchers. As well as drawing greater attention to it, this paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the prison interpreting reality by describing the setting on the basis of accounts collected through observation, questionnaires and interviews with practising interpreters and other stakeholders. The data have been examined in order to identify determining factors for the prison setting with regard to interpreting. These factors have been organized according to a subject classification: domain and setting, organizational issues and security procedures, common problems and solutions, ethical principles and dilemmas, and professional role. The findings suggest that the elements particular to the setting, in this case security procedures or the conflictual rapport that is built between primary participants, have an impact on the practice and ethics of public service interpreters (PSIs), pointing to the notion that it is necessary to comprehend the environment in order to adopt an adequate ethical model and professional role.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Interpreting in a changing landscape 1
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Part I. Political and economic changes
- Court interpreter ethics and the role of professional organizations 15
- Role playing “Pumpkin” 31
- A description of interpreting in prisons 45
- From chaos to cultural competence 61
- The UNCRPD and “professional” sign language interpreter provision 83
- From invisible machines to visible experts 101
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Part II. Interpreting vs. mediating/culture brokering
- Role issues in the Low Countries 117
- One job too many? 133
- Exploring institutional perceptions of child language brokering 149
- Natural interpreters’ performance in the medical setting 165
- The interpreter – a cultural broker? 187
- The role of the interpreter in educational settings 203
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Part III. Interpreting strategies in different interactional contexts
- Business as usual? 225
- Who is speaking? 249
- Changing perspectives 267
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Part IV. A changing landscape
- Training interpreters in rare and emerging languages 287
- From role-playing to role-taking 305
- Public service interpreter education 321
- Index 339
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Interpreting in a changing landscape 1
-
Part I. Political and economic changes
- Court interpreter ethics and the role of professional organizations 15
- Role playing “Pumpkin” 31
- A description of interpreting in prisons 45
- From chaos to cultural competence 61
- The UNCRPD and “professional” sign language interpreter provision 83
- From invisible machines to visible experts 101
-
Part II. Interpreting vs. mediating/culture brokering
- Role issues in the Low Countries 117
- One job too many? 133
- Exploring institutional perceptions of child language brokering 149
- Natural interpreters’ performance in the medical setting 165
- The interpreter – a cultural broker? 187
- The role of the interpreter in educational settings 203
-
Part III. Interpreting strategies in different interactional contexts
- Business as usual? 225
- Who is speaking? 249
- Changing perspectives 267
-
Part IV. A changing landscape
- Training interpreters in rare and emerging languages 287
- From role-playing to role-taking 305
- Public service interpreter education 321
- Index 339
