Action and Interaction in Interpreting

Abstract

Reference to Goffman in the present article affords a starting point for a discussion of interpreting and interaction, prompting a number of considerations on the mental processes involved in interpreting- hence the inclusion in the title of the broader term "action". The discussion does not purport to be in any way conclusive. lndeed, the very beauty of taking Goffman as a potential vantage point from which to explore a fresh perspective on interpreting studies is that the relevance of the debate is not exhausted in the space of a sing1e article. The essays by Goffman to which reference is made on the following pages are pioneering works in the now flourishing field of sociolinguistics. Though at first sight unlikely, their interest for the interpreting scholar - as well as for the practising or trainee interpreter - is arguably immense. Be i t for the reader to judge whether he or she shares this enthusiasm and, if so, as a premiss for mere academic debate or a basis for further study and observation.