English for Special Purposes used by and for Non-native English-speaking Interlocutors: The Interpreter’s Role and Responsibility

Abstract

This chapter is aimed at exploring and discussing the role and responsibility of the interpreter, both liaison and simultaneous, at encounters where English is the main channel of communication and the interpreter is called to translate English for Special Purposes (ESP) between non-native English interlocutors. Discussion will be based on the analysis of several scenarios taken from the medical, technical and financial world where peer relations between the interlocutors involved as well as knowledge of ESP and/or standard language usage vary and affect communication accordingly. The analysis is aimed at discussing the interpreter’s intervention in the scenarios studied and how s/he can effectively facilitate communication, not only by providing a linguistically accurate translation, but also by understanding the parties involved and preventing disappointment in the clients’ expectations. The paper will also show how the form of interpreting used can largely influence the translation and, thus, comprehension among the parties.