UKRAINIAN INTERPRETERS IN THE WAR ZONE (2014-2015)

Abstract

The article focuses on the study of interpreters’ work in Donetsk, Ukraine in 2014-2015, the first two years of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Complex legal, political and personal aspects of interpreters’ work with international media teams indicate that the legislation regulating the work of interpreters and the general preparedness of Ukrainian professionals for the dangerous working environment are lacking. What political and personal factors affect the language professionals in the field, what risks and challenges they have to overcome, and how they do their best to stay impartial and politically neutral in their work. The study shows that the environment, in which Ukrainian interpreters had to work was complicated and dangerous: they faced many challenges which included performing new functions, taking safety measures to protect their lives and health, adjusting to fast-changing conditions of work and life, coping with psychological pressure, etc. There is an obvious necessity to improve the legislation regulating the work of interpreters in a war zone, introduce training programmes for interpreters working in extreme and dangerous environments, and conduct further research of the work of interpreters in the war zones.