Learning to be a public service interpreter : boundaries, ethics and emotion in a marginal profession

摘要: Interpreting between peoples of different languages is an ancient practice, and one that has traditionally been viewed as fraught with ambiguities trust, status, power agency. In the last quarter a century, both national transnational governmental institutions have addressed particular concerns about interpreting for migrants using public services in their host countries. order to remove burden responsibility such from children whom it often fell, ensure social justice access services, considerable resources invested worldwide creating professional infrastructures service (PSI), including training, qualifications registration specialist practitioners. This thesis investigates depth, through narratives interpreters themselves, complex nature work. It builds on previous critiques which challenged profession’s formal prescriptions supposed ‘invisibility’, if these practitioners were just ‘translating machines’ who do not participate interactions they interpret. However, also goes beyond existing research by drawing sociologies professions workplace learning highlight aspects this work hitherto considered. The was conducted within critical interpretive paradigm seeks understand relationship micro-level subjective experiences individuals macro-level institutional structural factors. The data generated lengthy narrative interviews 11 experienced England, analysed initially open coding then process synthesis. Key findings are interpreters, addition overt linguistic cultural work, involved three hidden forms work: managing boundaries, frequently disrupted providers users; addressing unpredictable ethical challenges arising those interactions; performing range emotional labour. training rubrics profession appear inadequate acknowledging or supporting practice. point fragile status increasingly hostile climate political moves restrict immigration reduce spending. The makes number original significant contributions knowledge. presents fine-grained account PSIs’ own perspectives, until now remained underexplored. focuses largely boundary ethics demonstrated only constitute themselves PSIs, but thoroughly integrated, together more practices interpreting. locates clearly wider sets relations, revealing international policy-makers represent fourth party interpreted encounters. extends knowledge topic innovative interdisciplinary approach bringing studies sociological understandings learning; offers holistic synthesis integrating them lens Bourdieu’s theoretical framework. ends series recommendations policy practice enhance effectiveness comprehensive understanding its