On Interpreter’s Role: An Appraisal Perspective

The study focuses on interpreter’s role, trying to bring the recent progresses indiscourse analysis into interpreting discourse. The purpose is to locate exactly theevidence for the presence of the interpreter’s role, through discourse analysis over theinterpreting product and comparison between the two interpreting products.Martin’s appraisal theory centers on interpersonal function and appraisal analysishas been conducted in journalistic discourse to find reporter’s voice, as the reporter’spersonal stance is highlighted through appraisal resources.(Martin,2005) The paper,therefore, sets out to analyze the appraisal resources in the original speech in order tofind out the stance of the addresser, before moving on to compare the interpreting ofthose appraisal resources in two different interpreting versions of the speech. It isfound as well that appraisal resources are changed in varied degree by differentinterpreters, as a result of their personal choices of words and structures. Tentativeanalysis on the causes is undertaken only to find that interpreter’s personalbackground and his or her understanding of the interpreting event, and the addresseraffect the interpreting product. The conclusion is made that interpreter’s role is visible,since the interpreter has taken a personal stance in the interpreting of appraisalresources.The study has its potential in that despite widespread arguments on the role issue,the utmost need is to find exact evidence of any possible presence of interpreter. Withan impetus from interpersonal focus given by Appraisal Theory, the study dives intothe product and finds the proof needed for the discussion.