Criminals interpreting for criminals: breaking or shaping norms?

Abstract

The concept of norms has been applied in Interpreting Studies to achieve a greater understanding of the principles regulating this activity in close connection to each particular context and its specific features. In less explored settings, such as prisons, a norm-based analysis can become a useful tool to describe a partially unknown reality. This study aims to explore the degree of compliance to norms by non-professional interpreters in prison settings. For these purposes, the main norms of interpreter behaviour (as defined in codes of ethics) will be examined through the lens of a corpus of 19 interpreted prison interviews, as well as users' and interpreting experts' reactions to them. Results will show that, on occasion, non-professional interpreters challenge relevant norms (accuracy, impartiality, confidentiality...) in a conscious or unconscious manner. Such deviations may be due to lack of translational competence, voluntary moves to improve one's own or a fellow inmate's face before the prison administration, or adjustment to users' expectations, among others. The reactions they trigger among users and interpreting experts vary depending on the norm challenged, the role of each stakeholder or their communicative goals.