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The interpreter selects
Isabelle Heyerick asks
A
ny interpreter can attest that the
cognitive work we perform entails
more than merely rendering words
from language A into language B. There is
context to consider, the social rules and
norms of the interaction being interpreted,
and considerations such as why are the
participants here/why am I, the interpreter,
here? In this sense, interpreting is a situated
activity (a linguistic interaction between
people) with a goal: communication.
Exploring interpreting as a goal-oriented
process foregrounds the role and importance
of strategies. Whenever we want to achieve a
goal, we strategise. We concoct a plan,
consider the various steps and adjust along
the way until we achieve that goal.
Studies have established that interpreters
and translators use interpreting or translating
strategies. Several descriptions, definitions and
categorisations have been put forward, but
few studies have focused on why interpreters
use, consider using or reject certain linguistic
strategies. Not much is known about the
underlying motives that drive interpreters'
choices, or about strategies that interpreters
consciously avoid or reject.
My research explored which linguistic
interpreting strategies Dutch-Flemish Sign
Language (VGT) interpreters use and reject,
and why; and whether certain ideologies
Split-sec
MAKING THEIR MINDS UP
Interpreters make strategic decisions
very quickly based on goals such as
clear communication and accuracy
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