The consecutive conference interpreter as intercultural mediator : a cognitive-pragmatic approach to the interpreter's role

Al-Zahran, A

Abstract

This thesis is an empirical and interdisciplinary investigation into the consecutive
conference interpreter’s (CCIr) role as intercultural mediator.
It seeks to determine whether there is a case for intercultural mediation in conference
interpreting despite the greater degree of cultural transparency that characterises discourse
in conference interpreting situations (CISs) when compared with other settings such as
community and/or court interpreting. It also proposes an account of the CCIr’s role as
intercultural mediator as an alternative to other accounts of the interpreter’s role in the
literature on conference interpreting because those accounts do not explain clearly the
CCIr’s role or are in conflict with very well-established concepts and principles associated
with translation/interpreting such as faithfulness, accuracy, neutrality or accessibility. The
account of the CCIr’s role as intercultural mediator is derived from the principles of a
theoretical framework that draws on the findings of the theory of sense (Seleskovitch and
Lederer 1995) and Sperber and Wilson’s (1986; 1995) relevance theory of communication
(RT). The account provides the basis for formulating a clearer definition of the concept of
intercultural mediation in the context of consecutive conference interpreting (CCI).
Analyses of two types of data underpin the investigation: data from authentic examples
from interpreters’ actual performance and data from 295 responses to a worldwide survey
of professional conference interpreters conducted by this researcher for use in this thesis.
Results of both analyses confirm the case for intercultural mediation in CISs and the
validity of the proposed account of the CCIr’s role as intercultural mediator though
situationality has been found to play an important role in the extent to which intercultural
mediation is needed. Results also shed light on CCIrs’ use of cultural mediation procedures
and the role of interpreters’ professional status, experience and language direction on their
ability/willingness to perform intercultural mediation.

Citation

Al-Zahran, A. The consecutive conference interpreter as intercultural mediator : a cognitive-pragmatic approach to the interpreter's role. (Thesis). University of Salford, UK

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 12, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 12, 2009
• Additional Information: Additional Information : PhD supervisor: Professor Myriam Salama-Carr
• Award Date: May 1, 2007