Exploring institutional perceptions of child language brokering
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Letizia Cirillo
Abstract
The present paper investigates the frequent but little studied phenomenon of child language brokering (CLB), focusing specifically on reported experiences of child-brokered events by representatives of Italian healthcare institutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and general practitioners in a medium-sized town in North-East Italy. The aim of the interviews was to highlight recurrent patterns in the commissioning of interpreting services, as well as institutional perceptions of language brokering in general (be it professional or ad hoc), and of CLB in particular. Overall, respondents, while expressing their concerns for the ethical, social and cultural implications of CLB, “defended” it as one of the main, if not the only, available resources to interface with adult migrants in the Italian context.
Abstract
The present paper investigates the frequent but little studied phenomenon of child language brokering (CLB), focusing specifically on reported experiences of child-brokered events by representatives of Italian healthcare institutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and general practitioners in a medium-sized town in North-East Italy. The aim of the interviews was to highlight recurrent patterns in the commissioning of interpreting services, as well as institutional perceptions of language brokering in general (be it professional or ad hoc), and of CLB in particular. Overall, respondents, while expressing their concerns for the ethical, social and cultural implications of CLB, “defended” it as one of the main, if not the only, available resources to interface with adult migrants in the Italian context.
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
