Guest Editor: Encarnación Postigo Pinazo, University of Málaga
BOOTH-FRIENDLY TERM EXTRACTION METHODOLOGY BASED ON PARALLEL CORPORA FOR TRAINING MEDICAL INTERPRETERS
Lorena Arce Romeral and Míriam Seghiri
University of Malaga
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
Since Mona Baker laid the foundations of Corpus-based Translation Studies, and as a result of the integration of new technologies in the current educational and professional environment, many proposals have advocated the use of ad hoc corpora in translation and interpreting disciplines due to their numerous advantages. These advantages have also been pointed out by researchers such as Laviosa (1998), Bowker (2002), Zanettin et al. (2003), Corpas (2008) or Seghiri (2015, 2017a and 2017b), as corpora are a very valuable source of grammatical, textual or terminological information. This article presents a process to implement a bilingual and bidirectional (English-Spanish/Spanish-English) glossary based on the compilation and exploitation of an ad hoc corpus to address an interpretation of a conference on dysphasia in the framework of a class lecture on interpreting. We illustrate how to semi-automatically extract the terms of the glossary using Terminology Extraction Suite (TES). In order to compile a quality corpus, it is necessary to apply a protocolised and systematic methodology. Therefore, in order to ensure the qualitative representativeness of the corpus, we have established clear design criteria and adapted the Seghiri compilation protocol (2006 and 2012) consisting of four phases—searching, downloading, text formatting and saving data—by adding an alignment phase (Castillo Rodríguez, 2009). We have also determined the quantitative representativeness of the corpus using the ReCor computer application (Seghiri, 2006 and 2015), which is designed specifically for this purpose.
Keywords: corpus linguistics, representativeness, specialised corpora, terminology, medical interpreting.
INTERPRETING FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE– COOPERATION BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS
Hanneke Bot
BOT - Bilingual Communication & Training
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
In this paper, I examine the prerequisites for communication across the language barrier in the treatment of people who suffer from psychological and / or psychiatric disorders – in short: (psycho)therapeutic talk. Communication across the language barrier is always more complicated than between people sharing the same language – an interpreter is needed. In therapeutic talk, where language is so important as it is both the means of expression of symptoms and the most important means of treatment, interpreting becomes extra challenging. So, how to go best about it?
Keywords: interpreting, therapeutic talk, challenges, training, vicarious traumatisation, training agenda.
INTERPRETING IN MENTAL HEALTH: AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FACILITATION PRACTICE
Noelia Burdeus-Domingo
Université Laval
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
Immigration is an expanded phenomenon that characterises our present societies. It brings with it new challenges and new needs to be faced by administrations. Those unquestionably affect the healthcare sector, urging for it to be adapted to treat users from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Public Service Interpreting guarantees effective communication in multicultural and multilinguistic contexts. It is increasingly necessary in the healthcare sector of the current multicultural societies. The need for Public Service Interpreting is experienced with greater intensity in such services as mental health, where anamnesis constitutes the principal route of diagnosis for a later treatment, in which linguistic and cultural comprehension is essential. However, not all kinds of interpreting services should be accepted. Some quality standards –that are only achieved thanks to an appropriate training– must be required. Healthcare interpreters must be properly trained in regard to languages, interpreting techniques, etc., but also in multiculturalism. An extensive knowledge of both involved cultures is essential to make healthcare interpreters able to assist healthcare providers by finding out cultural biases in mental health patients’ discourse, as those could affect communication in healthcare. In this paper, I present some of the results of a multiple case study that describes, analyses and compares the healthcare interpreting services provided in the cities of Barcelona and Montreal. The present article outlines, from the interpreter’s perspective, the benefits that interpreting brings to communication in healthcare and describes the negative effects that unprofessional interpreting services could entail.
Keywords: Cross-cultural communication; effective communication; intercultural mediation; interpreting; mental health
THE TRANSLATOR IN MULTILINGUAL AND MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION. A SITUATED LEARNING AUDIOVISUAL PROJECT: DILILI À PARIS
Isabel Cómitre Narváez
University of Malaga
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
This article presents an innovative training project for translators based on the European Master in Translation (EMT) expert group proposal for implementing a European reference framework for an European Master’s in Translation to improve and link training to new trends in the professional market. In the first part of the article, and following the theoretical framework of the EMT expert group, I will focus on the concept of “competence” as the combination of aptitudes, knowledge, behaviour and know how necessary for translators. I will then expose the method to make learning a “situated” experience and a set of skills needed for a professional competence based on real translation activities and a context-dependent approach under which learners are exposed to real-life and/or highly simulated work environments and tasks. In the main part of the article, I will focus on the different phases of the situated audiovisual project carried out with a small group of 60 students registered in the course Audiovisual Translation (French-Spanish) of the 3rd year of the BA in Translation and Interpreting at the University of Malaga. Students will have to face the challenge of translating selected sequences of a multilingual film, Dilili à Paris, of the renowned French writer and filmmaker Michel Ocelot. Finally, I will conclude with the findings of the project which aims to narrow the gap between academic and professional environments.
Keywords: Audiovisual translation; multilingual films; situated learning project; Spain.
TOOLS FOR INTERPRETERS: THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD
Gloria Corpas Pastor
University of Malaga and University of Wolverhampton
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
This paper intends to outline the state of the art of language tools applied to interpreting and discusses the challenges and new opportunities ahead. Unlike translators, interpreters have rarely benefited from language technologies and tools to make their work more efficient. However, nowadays there are some tools and resources already available. Computer-assisted interpreting (CAI) represents a significant new trend for the profession. While CAI tools will definitely reshape interpreters’ work conditions, new skills for the related job profiles will also bring dramatic changes to the training agenda.
Keywords: interpreting, tools and resources, interpreting technology, job profile, training agenda.
ANALYZING THE DISCOURSE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE VICTIMS IN THE MEDICAL CONSULTATION. REFLECTIONS ON THE TRAINING OF INTERPRETERS
Raquel Lázaro Gutiérrez
University of Alcalá
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
Foreign gender-based violence victims are particularly vulnerable because they do not share the language and the culture of the host country, and this might entail a huge barrier when it comes to access the healthcare system. The discourse they use in the medical consultation presents particular characteristics in the vocabulary, speech acts and other speech patterns. Apart from this, the emotional content and cultural differences might pose important challenges to the interpreters, who, most of the times, lack specific training in this context. A methodology based on case studies is used to describe the characteristics of medical consultations related to gender-based violence with the ultimate goal of offering suggestions for interpreters performing in this kind of situations. After the analysis of three real conversations a good number of characteristics have been isolated and described. They can be grouped in four main categories: terminology, frequent constructions, emotional impact and coordination of the interaction. After our findings we are able to suggest that interpreters should not only be trained in terminology, but they also should be given information about the most common constructions that appear in this kind of conversations, such as the use of reported speech and the formulation of requests. The emotional impact is one of the most frequent and difficult challenges interpreters have to confront. They should be given tools to overcome the impact these situations might have on them and they also need to develop abilities that make it possible for them to recognize the consequences of the emotional impact in the discourse of the participants in the interaction. Last but not least, interpreters have to be aware of the peculiarities related to the coordination of the speakers in this kind of interactions and should be ready to cooperate with the medical staff in the coordination.
Keywords: Case studies; discourse analysis; gender-based violence; medical conversations; real conversations.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND INTERPRETERS’ ROLES: WIDENING TAXONOMIES FOR EFFECTIVE INTERACTION WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE CONTEXT
Laura Parrilla Gómez
Pablo de Olavide University
Encarnación Postigo Pinazo
University of Malaga
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
Trespassing the boundary of neutrality and role adoption among interpreters have been previously studied in the public service field (Goffman 1981; Wadensjö 1998;Weiss and Stuker 1999;Farooq and Fear 2003; Angelelli 2004; Bot 2005; Leanza 2007; Hsieh 2008). However, this still remains a controversial issue giving its high presence within interpreters’ training nowadays, and the desire of hospitals to provide quality interpretation for patients when the goal is to reach an effective interaction between patients and healthcare staff, as well as promoting intercultural communication in these encounters. Studies in Spain such as Martin (2006) have highlighted the need for further research in the situation of community interpreting based on corpora which could lead to the improvement in training. The same issue is still highlighted by recent European Commission reports on medical interpreting regarding Spain among other European countries (Angelelli 2015). The present paper aims to describe a new taxonomy established for the different roles adopted by the interpreter in the healthcare setting with face to face encounters, and the challenge of remaining neutral if success in communication is the ultimate goal. Our study offers a classification of the adopted roles within the healthcare context, an arena where feelings, emotions and delicate issues combine together making interpreting a challenging task. This research was carried out in a Spanish hospital which provides face to face interpreting by a group of volunteer and professional interpreters to foreign patients in a multicultural setting. The importance of the study in the region lies in the fact that Andalusia has 87,434 of the 282,120 British residing population in Spain, according to the figures provided by the National Institute of Statistic up to January 2015. Half of these figures belong to Malaga province, the setting of our hospital. The aforementioned area also profits from an increase in health tourism, with several hospitals establishing partnerships with other European partner hospitals in order to receive their patients for treatment.
Keywords: interpreting, corpora, healthcare, role, encounters, taxonomy, communication, intercultural communication.
THE VISUAL VERSUS THE AURAL IN SUBTITLING FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
Emília Perez
Simona Klimková
Andrej Zahorák
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
This paper examines the decision-making process and selection of formal strategies in transferring sounds in subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). It presents the results of a focus group discussion conducted with a sample of subtitlers, revealing professionals’ perspectives on what should be transferred in subtitles, as well as when, how and why. The research was conducted within the Slovak context where SDH standards for pre-recorded programmes have been defined for TV broadcasting by national legislation since 2016. The authors attempted to identify compliance strategies in terms of the legislation as well as verify their validity. The results show that the participants tend to follow the principal legislatively defined standards; however the participants imply that the selection of strategies might be rather restricted due to the specific technical limitations of transfer as well as some of the ambiguous recommendations given by the legislation. The results also initiate a discussion on the need for (re-) evaluation of some of the national SDH rules, which would allow fewer omissions and less meaning loss.
Key words: SDH; focus group discussion; standardisation; transferability of sounds; formal parameters.
THE FORGOTTEN CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN TRANSLATORS IN INTERNATIONAL SANITARY UNITS AND RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS DURING AND IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
Marcos Rodríguez-Espinosa
University of Málaga
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
In this article we aim to describe the pioneering endeavours of translators and interpreters Aileen Palmer, Nan Green and Rajsa Rothman in two different periods of their lives, before and after the end of Spanish Civil War in 1939. In the first part of the article, we illustrate their personal, academic and professional backgrounds, as well as their duties as linguistic mediators within the foreign medical units integrated in the sanitary detachments of the International Brigades, or in the military health contingents of the Republican army during the Spanish civil confrontation, when most recruiting and learning happened in situ, in a time of scarce professional training. In the second part of the article, we outline their translating assignments after the conflict, with special reference to their presence in relief organizations which tried to help thousands of Spanish civil war refugees, and in humanitarian missions reclaiming fair trials for political prisoners in Franco’s dictatorship, as well as to their ultimate professional practices in the state publishing houses of the communist parties of China and Vietnam.
Key words: History of translation and interpreting; female translators and interpreters; sanitary and medical translation; translation and conflict; Spanish Civil War.
TEXT SIMPLIFICATION IN A CASE STUDY WITH A TRANSLATION STUDENT WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME
M. Cristina Toledo Báez
University of Córdoba
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
The aim of our paper is to present a case study carried out with a Translation and Interpreting student with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) in the framework of the e-learning project “TRADICOR: Corpora Management System for the Teaching Innovation in Translation and Interpreting” (PIE13-054). Our hypothesis is the following: when students with AS translate texts, simplification at two levels (text simplification and instructions simplifications) represents an improvement on translation quality and entails a better understanding of instructions. To confirm this hypothesis, the following four goals have been established: 1) apply text simplification to instructions in Spanish and to source texts in Spanish using Anula’s recommendations; 2) checking the readability of the Spanish simplified and non-simplified source texts and instructions using two Spanish formulae: the Flesch-Szigriszt Index and the Fernández Huerta Index; 3) assessing target texts using Toledo Báez’s analytic assessment template in order to check whether text simplification implies an improvement on translation quality; 4) test whether the participant has better understood simplified explicit instructions than non-simplified explicit instructions. As a summary of the results, it has been proven that instructions simplification does have a positive impact on the comprehension and the participant could accomplish the assignment. However, non-simplified instructions hinder comprehension as the participant was not able to accomplish the assignment. Regarding translation quality, the difference between simplified texts and non-simplified texts is not relevant and texts show similar errors.
Keywords: Asperger’s Syndrome, case study, instructions simplification, text simplification, translation quality.
A FIRST SET OF GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE INTERPRETERS WHO UNEXPECTEDLY FACE CLIENTS WITH A DISABILITY
Hildegard Vermeiren
Ghent University
Abstract FULL TEXT HERE
Service providers in healthcare, education or legal settings can unexpectedly be faced with language-discordant clients who moreover have sensory or cognitive disabilities and might have problems understanding or producing language. Disabilities or difficulties understanding are particular challenges in interpreter-mediated encounters. The aim of this article is to propose a set of guidelines that avoid time loss and frustration among the interlocutors and allow for smoother communication. We will focus here on two basic strategies that can help without the need for sophisticated equipment, namely plain language and gestures, leaving aside technological resources. In spite of many differences between them, language and gestures carry meaning through shared basic semiotic elements such as indexes, icons and symbols (Peirce, 1965). Moreover, when occurring simultaneously, language and gestures often have identical meaning. Gestures present the same meaning or pragmatic function (McNeil,1992), and consequently enhance spoken language. To obtain satisfactory results in an encounter with a disabled client, the ‘best fit’ should be found between plain language and gestures. Specifically in this context, a happy balance should be struck between the economy of a message and its clarity. We will apply relevant insights to the two initial phases of an interpreter-mediated encounter: acquaintance and positioning. For each of these phases, we will review the linguistic strategies and the kind of gestures that may prove useful in different contexts of disability.
Keywords: interpreter training; disability; guidelines; compensatory strategies; plain language; gestures, economy; clarity.
