When gestures speak louder than words. The role of non-verbal communication in community interpreting sessions. Sociolinguistic survey among interpreters of a Parisian Interpreting Agency
Résumé
“It takes more than having two hands to be a good pianist. It takes more than knowing two languages to be a good translator or interpreter.” In today’s globalized world, a thorough cultural knowledge proves to be one of the skills essential in the practice of those extraordinary cross-cultural mediators.
The uniqueness of community interpreters’ profession consists in the fact that their role cannot be reduced to a simple voice over, as it is the case of conference interpreting. The body of a community interpreter is physically present and, as such, involved in the information exchange process.
What happens when gestures contradict verbal messages? In which contexts do interpreters decide to verbally explain the physical behavior of their client and how do they meet the difficulties of non-verbal communication?
The present study will examine the interpreters’ perception of the role of non-verbal features in their professional practice by means of a sociolinguistic survey that we conducted among Parisian community interpreters working in social and healthcare settings.