Abstract
This article aims to expand on our knowledge of interpreting and interpreters in the early years of the Republic of Estonia’s creation of symbolic capital (1918–1940). The authors’ point of departure is the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s definition of symbolic capital. She has researched the evolution in interpreting in Estonia during three phases (1918–1940, 1944–1991 and 1991 to the present day) and, although the article is limited to diplomatic interpreting and the growth of the newly independent Republic of Estonia’s symbolic capital via interpreting in diplomatic intercourse, it represents a new approach in the descriptive history of interpretation in Estonia. During that period, diplomatic interpreting supported the Republic of Estonia’s aspirations to be recognised and accepted as an independent state in world politics. The years 1918–1940 were studied by analysing 36 memoirs, newspaper articles covering interpreting from the Estonian Literary Museum’s collection, diplomatic correspondence as well as the minutes of the Tartu Peace negotiations with Russia in 1919–1920, which are preserved in the State Archive of Estonia.
Highlights
The article analyses the development of interpreting in the Republic of Estonia during the early 20th century
The article’s theoretical framework is based upon the idea of symbolic capital as defined by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu who expanded upon the concept of capital to include its different forms
Expanding upon Bourdieu’s approach and applying it not just to individuals but to states, it could be assumed that it is possible for the state “to reap symbolic benefits” by speaking “with distinction and thereby distinguishing itself ] from all those who are less well endowed with linguistic capital” (Bourdieu 1991/1997, 21)
Summary
The article analyses the development of interpreting in the Republic of Estonia during the early 20th century. The article’s theoretical framework is based upon the idea of symbolic capital as defined by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu who expanded upon the concept of capital to include its different forms. He spoke of economic capital, and of cultural, social, and symbolic capital (1991/1997). “the language of authority never governs without the collaboration of those it governs” (ibid., 113), as “those who speak must ensure that they are entitled to speak in the circumstances, and those who listen must reckon that those who speak are worthy of attention” (ibid., 8) In this context, the following questions are addressed in the article: can the use of interpreting be interpreted as the enhancement of Estonia’s symbolic capital? Neither the history of interpreting nor the explosive growth of international interpreting assignments after the restoration of independence in 1991 has been studied in Estonia
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