Risiko i tolkemediert interaksjon – tolken tolker (ikke) alt

Abstract

This article examines the risks associated with interpreter mediated interaction in the public sector when the interpreter and service provider lack a shared understanding of the interpreting process and its implications. Communicative practices are understood to be semiotic in nature, shaped by cultural and social factors, and inherently influenced by the process of interpreting. We view this in the light of a potentially simplified understanding of the interpreters’ Code of Ethics, especially the following guideline: “The interpreter should interpret exactly what is said in the conversation, without changing, withholding or adding content”. This formulation may create the impression that full textual similarity is possible. To shed light on the communicative risk involved when the point of departure is an expectation of textual similarity, we present an analysis of interpreting students’ written notes on their understanding of the language situation in Romania, Pakistan and Vietnam, as well as transcriptions of the students’ assessments of challenges in two specific texts. The data were collected through learning activities associated with the course Sight Translation (Tolking fra skrift til tale) in the Bachelor’s programme in Public Sector Interpreting at Oslo Metropolitan University. We discuss the findings from the study in light of existing knowledge about competence among practicing interpreters and interpreter users. The article concludes that if a simplified understanding of interpreting is the foundation for professional practice, this could have real-world consequences for individuals. Enhancing professional competence is necessary to reduce such risks.

Keywords: the interpreting act, interpreter mediated interaction, professional cooperation, communicative risk