Stress in interpreter-mediated situations: a comparative study between conference interpreting and public service interpreting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/RP.2020.006Keywords
interpreter-mediated situations, stress, conference interpreting, press conferences, public service interpreting, health interpretingAbstract
The present study analyzes the stress-inducing factors arising in two different interpreter- mediated situations where dialogue interpreters are involved. Specifically, the focus is on conference interpreting (press conferences) and public service interpreting (health interpreting). The methodology consists of three main steps. First, drawing on existing classifications of interpreter-mediated communicative situations, the main features characterizing the situations studied are singled out in line with situational, interpersonal, and informational factors. These factors make up the methodological tool applied in the two subsequent steps of the analysis, including semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis of the answers obtained. The semi-structured interviews were conducted after the completion of the interpreting assignments under consideration. The interpreters were asked to complete a form indicating the stress-inducing factors and add comments. Finally, the answers obtained in the thematic analysis were collated and entered into tables, including a summary of the comments provided by the interpreters. The results concerning the conference interpreting situation are then discussed against the results from the public service interpreting situation. Overall, this leads to the conclusion that there are no major differences in the level of stress experienced in the two situations. However, there are discrepancies in the kinds of stress-inducing factors at stake in each situation. For instance, the conference interpreter feels stressed when they know their performance will face media exposure (e.g. through recording or streaming). On the other hand, the public service interpreter tends to empathize with the weaker party among their interlocutors, which results in emotional stress. Moreover, the public service interpreter is required to perform additional tasks (e.g. sight translation, written trans lation of medical and administrative documents, administrative management with insurance companies) and becomes aware of the subject and the languages involved in each assignment at the very last moment. It is clear that the professional profile of conference interpreters is more established than that of public service interpreters, whereas public service interpreters perform multiple tasks that exceed linguistic and cultural mediation proper.
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