Conflict recognition, prevention and resolution in mental health interpreting

Abstract

This article investigates the application of Kim’s (2001) theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation to identifying and resolving areas of conflict in mental health interpreting in Ireland and, by extension, in the wider field of community interpreting. In the context of Kim’s theoretical framework, the interpreter is the ‘stranger,’ a newcomer who undergoes a cross-cultural adaptation process in an unfamiliar environment, i.e. the host community. Potential areas of conflict in community interpreting in general and mental health interpreting in particular are examined in connection with the interrelated factors that underpin Kim’s structure and process models. It is argued that these factors also provide a framework for the mapping of conflict prevention and resolution in community interpreting. Kim’s theory is further extended to examine the complexity of potential conflict between all participants in interpreter-mediated encounters as well as possible prevention and resolution strategies.

Clinical communication and the ‘triangle of care’ in mental health and deafness: Sign language interpreters’ perspectives

“…It is important, therefore, that clinicians engage with interpreters to gain a comprehensive understanding of the patient, or else risk the possibility of not complying with established guidelines [32]. This is key because "comprehension of both linguistic and nonverbal utterances are salient to prognosis" [33]. SL interpreters, also, need to feel confident that they possess the skills to interpret mental health consultations and to be knowledgeable of the nuances that are particularly relevant to the area.…”

Unity in diversity: mapping healthcare interpreting studies (2007-2017)

“…The first stream of research mainly utilizes existing theoretical and analytical frameworks to reach their objective. For example, the theory of Pragmalinguistics and the Cooperative Principle are leveraged in an attempt to offer guidelines for a more positive environment for mental health interpreting [32]; the theory of communication and crosscultural adaptation have been used to address the issues of conflict in interpreter-mediated mental health settings [40]; the social cognitive theory and role-reversal theory have been adopted to investigate the widely known phenomenon that children sometimes come to play the role of healthcare interpreters with their interpreting competency examined [41]; the theory of vicarious traumatization (VI) has been taken as a perspective to account for the discursive practices of Kurdish refugees serving as mental health interpreters in UK institutional settings [31]. The other stream of research commonly draws upon important individual concepts to inform their research design.…”