Is there such a thing as summary interpreting? “Cross-linguistic formulation”, facilitation and mediation in French asylum proceedings

Abstract

This paper focuses on a case of systematic resort to consecutive summary interpretation in French Asylum courtroom proceedings and provides the first analysis of this controversial practice. Drawing on conversational analysis, it shows that summary interpreting is framed as a separate interaction between interpreter and asylum seeker, under the eye of a remote court. The interpreter performs (cross-linguistic) “formulations” of what precedes and what follows in the proceedings, and in so doing does not only render, gatekeep and facilitate the main elements of the source text, as usually found in dialogue interpreting, but endorses the role of an intercultural mediator.