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Government Interpreting: Strategies in a Field of Jargon

Introduction Results/Discussion

Methodology

Literature Review

Conclusion

References

In the land of jargon and acronyms, Washington DC, it is important to know which strategies are most effective when interpreting in a government setting. The research shows five key strategies were utilized in this interpreted event. The following data shows that in a formal, federal government presentation the interpreter preferred a descriptive, thorough approach.

•  Pochhacker (2004) •  Culture influences speech. ”What

needs to be said or remain unstated depends on the language and culture in question” (p. 135)

•  Smith and Trope (2006) •  Power creates psychologically distant

perspectives creating abstract thought and speech. (p. 579)

•  Judd and Brauer (2002) •  Perception of power dynamics

influences if concrete or abstract language is used.

•  Walker and Shaw (2011) •  Specialized settings call for interpreters

with specialized skills and knowledge. (p. 1-3)

Limitations: •  Small sample size •  Perspective on Jargon •  Interpreter’s style and schema

Recommendations

•  Study a diverse sample of interpreters

•  Involve participants questioning their reasoning behind strategies

A thorough, descriptive approach is an expansion strategy (Moody, 2011). It’s linked to the goal of making implicit English explicit in ASL. Because a specific Deaf audience is not targeted, the interpreter uses multiple strategies to reach a broad range of the Deaf community. This research is applicable to any interpreter but has strong implications for interpreters working in formal, federal government settings. When a setting does not allow for clarification or consumer interaction, it is important interpreters know the best strategies for clear communication. The data shows this interpreter preferred a more thorough, descriptive approach.

Guinote, A., Judd, C. M., & Brauer, M. (2002). Effects of power on perceived and objective group variability: Evidence that more powerful groups are more variable. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 708–721. Moody, Bill (2011) "What is a Faithful Interpretation?," Journal of Interpretation: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 4. Available at: http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/joi/vol21/iss1/4 Pöchhacker, F. (2004) Introducing interpreting studies. New York, NY: Routledge. Smith, Pamela K., and Yaacov Trope. "You Focus on the Forest When You're in Charge of the Trees: Power Priming and Abstract Information Processing." PsycEXTRA Dataset 90.4 (2006): 578-96. Web. 18 Apr. 2006. Walker, Jamie and Shaw, Sherry (2011) "Interpreter Preparedness for Specialized Settings,"Journal of Interpretation: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 8. Available at: http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/joi/vol21/iss1/8

•  YouTube video: Senator Rand Paul giving a speech on the Senate floor

•  Transcribed the jargon into an Elan file

•  Assessed and categorized strategies utilized

•  Analyzed data and applied literature to find reasoning behind findings.

§  It is clear the interpreter preferred a descriptive thorough approach when possible.

§  Formal Register §  Diverse/unknown audience §  Unable to ask for clarification

§  Strategy one was found accompanied by acronyms, signs, and omissions §  Efficiency §  Government Culture

§  Fingerspelling was never accompanied by a descriptive word or phrase. §  Interpreter has background knowledge in legislative areas §  Fingerspelled jargon can be labeled as medical jargon

Stephanie Casper