Methodological explorations of interpreter-mediated interaction: novel insights from multimodal analysis

Abstract

Research in Dialogue Interpreting (DI) has traditionally drawn on qualitative analysis of verbal behaviour to explore the complex dynamics of these 'triadic' exchanges. Less attention has been paid to interpreter-mediated interaction as a situated, embodied activity where resources other than talk (such as gaze, gestures, head and body movement, proxemics) play a central role in the co-construction of the communicative event. This article argues that understanding the complexity of DI requires careful investigation of the interplay between multiple interactional resources, i.e. verbal in conjunction with visual, aural, embodied and spatial meaning-making resources. This call for methodological innovation is strengthened by the emergence of video-mediated interpreting, where interacting via screens without sharing the same physical space adds a further layer of complexity to interactional dynamics. Drawing on authentic extracts from interpreter-mediated interaction, both face-to-face and video-mediated, this article problematizes how the integration of a multimodal perspective into qualitative investigation of interpreter-mediated interaction can contribute to the advancement of our understanding of key interactional dynamics in DI and, in turn, broaden the scope of multimodality to include new, uncharted territory.

Using Zoom Videoconferencing for Qualitative Data Collection: Perceptions and Experiences of Researchers and Participants

“…The ability to securely record Zoom interviews is a key advantage for researchers in terms of data management and security. These features also provide opportunities for unique approaches to knowledge generation by allowing multimodal analysis of visual, spatial, and temporal elements including body language (Davitti, 2019). By default, Zoom does not record individual sessions unless the user has previously enabled the setting for automatic recording within their user profile (i.e., specified under personal settings for paid users).…”

Multimodal and Interactional Aspects of Sight Translation – A Critical Review

“…By combining existing knowledge about sight translation with a multimodal approach, I discuss sight translation both as an interpreting method and as an interactional practice. In this manner, I help refine the conceptual understanding of sight translation and support the call for methodological innovation in interpreting studies on the basis of multiple interactional resources (Davitti, 2019). I argue that besides translation skills, skills in mediating between modes are needed in sight translation.…”

“…A multimodal approach to sight translation aligns with the more general multimodal shift in translation and interpreting studies (Gonzalez, 2014;Davitti, 2019). This turn has resulted in several articles on various translation and interpreting areas, such as speech to writing or writing to sign (Pasquandrea, 2011;Wurm, 2014;Chakhachiro, 2016;Chen and Wang, 2016;Davitti and Pasquandrea, 2017;Raanes and Berge, 2017;Ticca and Traverso, 2017).…”

Fight for focus: attention and agency in sight-translated interaction

“…A pedagogical study of dialogue interpreting using Norris' analytical framework highlights the importance of the interpreter paying attention to including and excluding interlocutors; the framework also proves useful for students' understanding of interaction beyond language (Krystallidou, 2014). This study contributes to the growing body of multimodal interpreting and translation studies (Boria & Tomalin, 2020;Davitti, 2019;Perez-Gonzalez, 2014;Tuominen et al, 2018). Norris (2004Norris ( , 2019 has developed analytical tools to differentiate actions on different levels, with mode being a central theoretical unit.…”