«He became our interpreter, our spokesman, he had a leading role!». Interpretar en los campos rusos de prisioneros de la Primera Guerra Mundial

Abstract

Interpreting and translating in conflict zones challenge traditional role models and reveal the enormous potential of power and ambivalence inherent in the mediation activity. This article discusses interpreting situations in Russian prisoner of war camps of the First World War as depicted by prisoners from the German Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. By highlighting the social functions ascribed to and taken on by the interpreting figures, it will be shown that language mediation was not only constitutive for the implementation and running of the camp organization, but also discloses the ambivalent features which make communication under coercive conditions.