The interpreter – a cultural broker?
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Kristina Gustafsson
Abstract
A community interpreter works behind closed doors and becomes witness to how the exercise of authority and communication is carried out in multicultural Sweden. With time, interpreters collect experiences about interpreted meetings, power relations and unequal situations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the interpreter and especially the meaning of serving as a cultural broker. How do interpreters manoeuvre their position in the frontline between different parties without violating the professional ethics? The paper is thus a contribution, from a culture-analytical perspective, to a wide-ranging discussion about the role of the interpreter and professional ethics.
Abstract
A community interpreter works behind closed doors and becomes witness to how the exercise of authority and communication is carried out in multicultural Sweden. With time, interpreters collect experiences about interpreted meetings, power relations and unequal situations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the interpreter and especially the meaning of serving as a cultural broker. How do interpreters manoeuvre their position in the frontline between different parties without violating the professional ethics? The paper is thus a contribution, from a culture-analytical perspective, to a wide-ranging discussion about the role of the interpreter and professional ethics.
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
