Intercomprehension in public service interpreting and translation

Abstract

In recent decades, Western societies have become increasingly multilingual. However, the traditional strategies for communication between institutions and multilingual populations used in Public Service Interpreting and Translation (PSIT) have come under question, and alternative approaches are now being considered. One such alternative is intercomprehension (IC). The main objective of this research is two-fold: firstly, to explore the frequency and extent of IC in the study area; and secondly, to analyze the extent to which IC may help to eliminate barriers in PSIT when compared with traditional approaches to translation and interpreting. Data were collected over the course of 2015–2016 in central Spain (Madrid and the Henares Corridor) from surveys and discussions with ad hoc translators and interpreters. The research methodology integrates qualitative and quantitate analysis. The results show that IC is a means of communication in public services in Spain that deserves more consideration in both research and training contexts within the area of Translation and Interpreting Studies.