Language and power

IF 1.8 1区 文学 0 LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS Interpreting Pub Date : 2024-03-05 DOI:10.1075/intp.00099.cam
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引用次数: 0
Abstract

This article investigates the power dynamics at play in interpreter-mediated discourse interactions in the district courts in Ghana. Using audio recordings of authentic courtroom proceedings, we analyzed the discursive practices performed by court actors, especially interpreters, and the ways in which these practices signal their power or the lack thereof. We also examine the way language is employed by dominant actors to intrude on the liberty of less dominant actors in the courtroom and how this is sometimes resisted by the latter actors. We couch our analyses in Fairclough’s theory of language and power and Obeng’s theory of language and liberty. Our analysis shows that interpreters in Ghanaian courts are tacitly imbued with an inordinate amount of power, which is exercised in the service of the courts. The interpreters in our study employ speech acts such as questioning, scolding and persuading to control the discursive behavior of lay court users (e.g., litigants, witnesses) in order to ensure efficient court proceedings. These acts impinge on the liberty of litigants as they are not free to engage the court in a manner suitable to them. This study raises questions about the interpreter’s neutrality and professionalism and its findings could be useful to those entities interested in improving legal interpreting standards.

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语言与权力
摘要 本文研究了加纳地区法院中以口译员为媒介的话语互动中的权力动态。我们利用真实的法庭诉讼录音,分析了法庭行动者(尤其是口译员)的话语实践,以及这些实践如何表明他们的权力或缺乏权力。我们还研究了在法庭上占主导地位的行为者使用语言侵犯不占主导地位的行为者的自由的方式,以及后者有时是如何抵制这种行为的。我们的分析基于费尔克拉夫(Fairclough)的语言与权力理论和奥本(Obeng)的语言与自由理论。我们的分析表明,加纳法院的口译员被默默赋予了过多的权力,这些权力是为法院服务而行使的。在我们的研究中,口译员使用质问、斥责和劝说等语言行为来控制非专业法庭使用者(如诉讼当事人、证人)的话语行为,以确保法庭程序的效率。这些行为侵犯了诉讼当事人的自由,因为他们不能自由地以适合自己的方式与法庭接触。本研究提出了有关口译员中立性和专业性的问题,其研究结果可能对那些有兴趣提高法律口译标准的实体有所帮助。
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来源期刊
Interpreting
Interpreting Multiple-
CiteScore
5.30
自引率
15.80%
发文量
21
期刊介绍: Interpreting serves as a medium for research and debate on all aspects of interpreting, in its various modes, modalities (spoken and signed) and settings (conferences, media, courtroom, healthcare and others). Striving to promote our understanding of the socio-cultural, cognitive and linguistic dimensions of interpreting as an activity and process, the journal covers theoretical and methodological concerns, explores the history and professional ecology of interpreting and its role in society, and addresses current issues in professional practice and training.
期刊最新文献
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