Interpretation and Translation as Disciplines and Professions in Zimbabwe: A Critical Appraisal

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the status of translation and interpretation as disciplines and professions in Zimbabwe. A critical appraisal of both past and present Zimbabwean language policy documents, triangulated with data from semi- structured interviews and observations, reveals that the two disciplines and professions are still in their formative stages despite their long history. It emerged that translation and interpretation are para-professions and are neither fully-fledged nor well-established disciplines. The lack of an enabling language policy seems to account for this underdevelopment, at least to some extent. The marginalisation of the majority of local languages thus appears to stifle and thwart efforts to promote the disciplinary and professional growth of both translation and interpretation in Zimbabwe. These observations suggest that language policy, translation, and interpretation in the Zimbabwean context have an intricate and symbiotic relationship; thus the lack of an enabling language policy environment both past and present constrains their development.