Translation as Prevention from Aberrant Decoding

Abstract

Translation as a facilitator of dialogue amongst cultures and nations has been an inseparable part of international communication, tracing far back to the very beginning of diplomacy. The recent and increasing changes in the ways and styles in international communication are significantly marked by the growing number and variety of participants and the intensification of the communication process in itself. Inevitably, these changes have made a visible impact on translation, notably interpreting. With the aim of going deeper into the manifestations of such effect, the present article analizes translation (more specifically, interpretation) in the ever-changing context of international communication, though the chosen approach is not the traditional linguistic one, but a communicative perspective. The paper discusses the role and function of the interpreter and his/her place within the communication process, following the framework suggested by S. Bolaños Cuellar.

Based on the gradual transformations of diplomatic protocol as a set of rules applicable to international communication, the article briefly reviews the new challenges that translation faces due to changes in international communication, often caused by the participants' use of rhethorics. The paper then continues with a semiotic approach to the study of diplomatic communication messages distinguishing spontaneous ambiguity, which emerges as a complimentary element to widely known purposeful ambiguity, so typical of diplomatic mannerism. In-depth interviews with interpreters have been held in order to reach a deeper understanding of the problems they face as international communication agents seem increasingly prone to resort to spontaneous ambiguity. Based on the findings of the research, the authors have drawn insights regarding the difficulties interpreters may have to overcome, bearing in mind that, apart from their traditional functions as international communication mediators, more than ever before, interpreters are often expected to play the additional role of content editors.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sal.0.24.6912