Norms in face-threatening instances of simultaneous conference interpreting: results from a questionnaire

Abstract

Conference interpreters are expected to act like neutral spokespersons and expert communicators at the same time. To achieve this, they abide by translational norms. These norms can be elicited from the discourse on interpreting, field observation and corpus data. They might also overlap with assessment norms. Anecdotes from the booth and field observations indicate that interpreters sometimes modify the speaker’s positions and shape the meaning of the target text. One translational norm could be that face-threatening acts (FTAs) in the source text cause interpreters to deviate from the spokesperson’s role and adopt face-saving strategies. This paper explores reactions to FTAs in interpreting through assessment norms. Professional interpreters, interpreting students and academics answered a questionnaire which presented interpreting situations involving an FTA. The respondents had to select the most appropriate reaction(s). No significant inter-group difference was found. A majority of respondents considered deviations from the spokesperson’s role to be legitimate in instances of FTAs. This might suggest a link between common face-saving strategies and translational norms in interpreting.