The Interpreter's Role In Conflictual Setting Of Community Interpreting

For a long period of time,community interpreting has been an important field of interpreting study in the world,in which the study of interpreter's role and communicative settings are of importance.Based on current interpreting study,the aim of this thesis is to research on interpreter's role of professional and student interpreters in conflictual setting of community interpreting based on a simulated experiment of an authentic community interpreting event.By exploring the influencing elements on the role difference of the interpreters,the thesis provides guidance to the training of community interpreting and the cultivation of conflict awareness.To research on interpreter's role in the conflictual situation of community interpreting,a simulated study was designed in this thesis.Four participants were selected to participate in the study:one professional interpreter and three student interpreters who are from Beijing Foreign Studies University.Based on an authentic community interpreting of Pakistan-C hina Investment and Trade Forum and previous studies on interpreter's role,this thesis conducts an analytical framework and a simulation script.With the help of role-play simulated study,the data was collected through video recording and transcribed.Based on previous studies of interpreter's role,the thesis researches on the definition of interpreter's role,and classifies the interpreters' role as gatekeeper,co-participant and mediator.The thesis also gives a definition to conflictual situation;difrerence on cultural norms and values,politics,message mistake,inappropriate expression on age and gender,cultural taboos,insults to someone and country,neglect of enthusiasm and hospitality.In accordance with the definition on interpreter's role and conflictual situation,the thesis found that professional interpreter and student interpreter are capable of working as gatekeeper and co-participant,while showing difference in mediator.The findings show:Three interpreters proactively participate in the communication of community interpreting event,rather than playing a role as"invisible","conduit".The interpreters proactively participate and intervene in the conflictual setting as gatekeeper,co-participant and mediator through providing explanation,appeasement to the interlocutor by filtering,omitting,adding and rendering unnecessary information in the communication to bridge and facilitate the communication.As data shows,the number of samples,the amount of work time and working field of interpreting are the major elements that influence the role of interpreters.