Triana Palomo, University Jaume I
Today, the role performed by non-professional translators and interpreters in a changing and globalized linguistic landscape, in general, and in migrant-receiving countries, in particular, is fundamental, because these agents cover most of the linguistic needs in the public services of our country (Gómez & Ivy 2011; Abril Martí & Martín 2011; Burdeus 2015). The linguistic variety is increasingly growing due to social and political issues (such as immigrants looking for jobs or seeking asylum). The study of the role of non-professional translators and interpreters is therefore definitely relevant. For six years, the translation and interpreting academia has showed a particular interest for this subject of study in a biennial meeting, the International Conference on Non-Professional Interpreting and Translation (NPIT). However, the term “non-professional” or even its boundaries are problematic: is someone who works as a full-time translator or interpreter a “non-professional”? Should the professional exercise be limited to those who hold a University degree in Translation and Interpreting, despite the relatively recent appearance of such studies?
In this contribution, we will explore how scholars in the field of translation and interpreting use those terms and compare that use to the view on non-professional translators and interpreters as set in the legal framework of the Spanish State and in the narratives of professional organizations.
To this end, we will analyse the contributions to the aforementioned series of conferences about non-professional translation and interpreting; the approved and applicable Spanish law on translation in public services; as well as the publications of the professionals organizations in our State. By doing so, the following questions will be answered:
– What is it understood under ‘non-professional’ translators in translation studies?
– What other terms coexist with “non-professionals” in the academia?
– Which terms or groups can be identified in the documentation regulating translators’ and interpreters’ performance in official settings in the Spanish State?
– How and when do professional associations refer to this group?
– What are the implications of this term when it comes to the performance of non-professionals and their integration into society?
– In what ways are non-professionals taken into account by professional associations?
This research questions lead to the formulation of the following hypothesis: the variety of terms implies a variety of positions on the legitimacy of non-professional translators and their recognised opportunities of performance and integration.
After building a corpus with the relevant documents, a content analysis will be conducted. The categories used will aim to explain the variety of views and terms.