An interactional perspective on interpreting as mediation

The importance of the “mediating” dimension in dialogue interpreting has been highlighted in a number of recent studies. Franz Pöchhacker has outlined three analytic dimensions to look at interpreting as mediation: (1) linguistic/cultural mediation, including intercultural mediation, is basically a synonym for interpreting; (2) cognitive mediation explains the subjectivity of interpreters; (3) contractual mediation involves facilitation of communication, conflict management and power relations. Pöchhacker advocates for a distinction between the cognitive and the linguistic/cultural dimensions of mediation on the one hand, and the dimension of contractual mediation on the other; such distinction ensures a clear professional separation between interpreters and contractual mediators. Empirical analysis of interpreter-mediated interaction can be used as the starting point for understanding the complexity of interpreting as mediation. The analysis of interpreter-mediated interactions in Italian healthcare services leads to observe: (1) the complex nature of what is called linguistic or language mediation; (2) the relationship between language mediation and its cultural forms and contexts; (3) the relationship between language mediation and intercultural mediation; (4) the meaning of language mediation as facilitation of communication; (5) the limitations and problems of interpreting as mediation. This analysis can have important implications for the achievement of higher levels of professionalism in interpreting.