Defining the Dialogue Interpreter’s Role from the Perspective of Turn-taking

Abstract

Basing on the special features of the interpreting operating model, the current view towards the interpreter’s role is found no longer suitable for accurately describing the function and the role the interpreter plays in the process. Therefore, this paper chooses the role of the interpreter as its interested topic from the perspective of discourse analysis—turn-taking, in an effort to reshape the interpreter’s role. This paper will focus on analyzing the collected data to clarify how the interpreter functions in dealing with the turns that emerging in the conversation. The data analysis is expected to illustrate the dynamic and active role of the interpreter in the sophisticated process of interpreting as indicated by the theoretical framework proposed, and dilute the low fixed status as well as the over-simplified and marginalized image of the interpreter.