Researching Multilingually at the Borders of

Language, the Body, Law and the State

Researching Multilingually

Two overarching aims:1) to research interpreting, translation and multilingual

practices in challenging contexts, where language is under pain and pressure, and,

2) while doing so, to document, describe and evaluate appropriate research methods (traditional and arts based) and develop theoretical approaches for this type of academic exploration.

Research Context

• Concepts of borders and embodiment, superdiversity, security/insecurity, raise important practical and ethical questions as to how research might be conducted.

• These concepts trouble the nature of traditional modern languages and concepts of translation and culture.

• Languages act as proxy for diversity and practical understandings are required not least for integration of populations on the move.

Methods

Focus on Methods: Part of the innovative nature of the project lies not in using new methods per se, but rather (i) in comparing across discipline-specific methods, (ii) interrogating arts and humanities methods where the

body and body politic are under threat, and (iii) in developing theoretical and methodological insights as

a result.(iv) Arts based representations

A framework for researching multilingually

An overarching theme – Develop researcher intentionality of possibilities and complexities of researching multilingually at all stages of a research process across wide range of fields.Relationships - researchers, participants, mediators, interpreters, translations, team members

Spaces – research (phenomena); researched (context); researcher (language resources); re/presentation (reporting/dissemination)

Presenting Multilingually? An Art: Visual/Oral.

practice

5 Case Studies

1) Global Mental Health: Translating Sexual and Gender Based Trauma (Scotland/Sierra Leone)

2) Law: Translating vulnerability and silence in the legal process (UK/Netherlands)

3) State: Working and Researching Multilingually at State and EU borders (Bulgaria/Romania)

4) Borders: Multilingual Ecologies in American Southwest borderlands

5) Language Education: Arabic as a Foreign Language for International Learners (Gaza)

Law Case Study: Bail Observation

Sarah Craig/ Karin Zwaan/Anna BeesleyIn a bail hearing, an Immigration judge considers whether immigration control justifies someone’s further detention, and decides whether they should be released.

Bail hearings are therefore a site where communication takes place in conditions of pain and/or pressure.

Tribunal in English

Communication can be difficult for many reasons, including (firstly) because the tribunal processes take place in English and the applicant may need an interpreter.

Video Link from Detention

Secondly, the applicant often participates in the hearing from detention, which means they rely on a video link to communicate with the judge, the Home Office representative, their own representative, the interpreter, and any supporters or family members.

Challenges

Creative Arts

Ha Orchestra; Poetry CollectionMusical DramaAotearoa New ZealandRefugee Language Education in LebanonPoverty Truth Commission

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Researching Multilingually at the Borders of Language, the Body, Law and the State

Alison.phipps@glasgow.ac.uk@alison_phipps

http://researching-multilingually-at-borders.com

http://researching-multilingually-at-borders.com

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) through the Translating Cultures Programme [grant reference AH/L006936/1]