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Interpreter-mediated police interviews

Working as a professional team
  • Isabelle Perez and Christine W.L. Wilson
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The Critical Link 4
This chapter is in the book The Critical Link 4

Abstract

This study builds on the researchers’ experience in delivering regular training since 2000 on “working through interpreters” to Scottish police officers. Whilst most previous research has focused on the interpreter’s role, the emerging issues emphasise the role of the police professional working alongside the interpreter. The study explores initial perceptions of potential problems and expectations relating to interpreter-mediated interviews, comparing attitudes preceding and following ‘Phase I’ training. It then highlights and discusses relevant areas emerging from the initial findings which may inform the development of ‘Phase II’ training and the revision of police guidelines. Ultimately, it concludes that “working with/through interpreters” training should be integrated into interview skills training as part of the basic training of police officers.

Abstract

This study builds on the researchers’ experience in delivering regular training since 2000 on “working through interpreters” to Scottish police officers. Whilst most previous research has focused on the interpreter’s role, the emerging issues emphasise the role of the police professional working alongside the interpreter. The study explores initial perceptions of potential problems and expectations relating to interpreter-mediated interviews, comparing attitudes preceding and following ‘Phase I’ training. It then highlights and discusses relevant areas emerging from the initial findings which may inform the development of ‘Phase II’ training and the revision of police guidelines. Ultimately, it concludes that “working with/through interpreters” training should be integrated into interview skills training as part of the basic training of police officers.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Foreword: Interpreting professions, professionalisation and professionalism 1
  5. Critical linking up
  6. Critical linking up 11
  7. Interpreters on duty in Interaction: Studies of micro dynamics
  8. The interpreter in multi-party medical encounters 27
  9. Interpreting in asylum hearings 39
  10. Conversational dynamics as an instructional resource in interpreter-mediated technical settings 53
  11. A data driven analysis of telephone interpreting 65
  12. Interpreters in the community: Studies of macro dynamics
  13. Interpreter-mediated police interviews 79
  14. Community interpreting in Poland 95
  15. Alternative futures for a National Institute of Translation 107
  16. The interpreter’s ‘third client’ 121
  17. Developing local standards
  18. The Swedish system of authorizing interpreters 135
  19. Establishment, maintenance and development of a national register 139
  20. From Aequitas to Aequalitas 151
  21. The California standards for healthcare interpreters 167
  22. Professional ideology: Food for thought
  23. Professionalisation of interpreting with the community 181
  24. Why bother? Institutionalisation, interpreter decisions and power relations 193
  25. The interpreter as advocate 205
  26. Professionalisation on interpreters 215
  27. Professional stocks of interactional knowledge in the interpreter’s profession 227
  28. Aristotelian ethics and modern professional interpreting 241
  29. Improving and assessing professional skills: Training initiatives and programmes
  30. Formative assessment 253
  31. Interpreter internship program 263
  32. On-line and between the lines 273
  33. A bachelor programme in interpreting 283
  34. From helpers to professionals 297
  35. Index 311
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