Translation and Interpreting in a Post-Brexit Britain

Abstract

This chapter suggests that, in the current climate of uncertainty and looming cultural insularity, the significance of language in the production, maintenance and change of social relations of power needs to be highlighted. It examines pessimistic and optimistic views of the impact of Brexit on capacity in translation and interpreting. It notes that there is continuing growth in the numbers of translators and interpreters working between English and other languages. There is a clear rationale for ensuring that the need for translation and interpreting provision is met. And there is an increasing need for language mediation to support social justice, particularly in public service interpreting, and in the voluntary sector, which is experiencing a vibrant growth of volunteer translators and interpreters’ platforms at a global level.