Coping with nonverbal communication in public service interpreting with Chinese immigrants

Nonverbal communication (NVC) plays a key role in face-to-face interactions. This article explores how nonverbal communication affects interpreter-mediated interactions between Chinese immigrants living in Catalonia and local public service providers. It presents data obtained from a qualitative stu...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Vargas Urpi, Mireia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/23793
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/23793
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2013.838985
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Traducció i interpretació als serveis públics
Comunicació intercultural
Nonverbal communication
Public service interpreting
Community interpreting
Intercultural communication
Intercultural mediation
Descripción
Sumario:Nonverbal communication (NVC) plays a key role in face-to-face interactions. This article explores how nonverbal communication affects interpreter-mediated interactions between Chinese immigrants living in Catalonia and local public service providers. It presents data obtained from a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with public service interpreters and intercultural mediators, and analyses their experience in coping with nonverbal cues that are the potential source of misunderstanding. Special attention is to the examples of the Chinese smile and absence of eye contact. The conclusions discuss the implications that nonverbal communication may have in defining the role and functions of public service interpreters.