The Community Interpreter: A Question of Role

Abstract

Studies of conference interpreting and community interpreting differ from studies of the translation of written texts in their object of study. Thus, unlike studies of written translations, studies of interpreting have traditionally focused on the individual performing the translation, i.e. the interpreter, as opposed to interpreting. Moreover, whereas research in conference interpreting has traditionally centred on issues connected with the process of interpreting, research in community interpreting has traditionally centred on role perceptions and expectations among users of interpreting services and interpreting practitioners. This article presents an overview of relevant community interpreting literature and shows how the topic of interpreter role has always dominated the field.