Interpreters in mediation

DProf thesis


Townsley, B. 2019. Interpreters in mediation. DProf thesis Middlesex University Health, Social Care and Education
TypeDProf thesis
TitleInterpreters in mediation
AuthorsTownsley, B.
Abstract

Mediation is actively promoted throughout the European Union as an alternative to court-based dispute resolution. Contemporary mediation takes place, however, in the context of highly linguistically diverse societies, and with international migration in the 21st century, this diversity can be expected to increase. Cases of mediators working with Non or Limited English Proficiency (NLEP) clients are increasing and, in the UK, this usually means introducing a language interpreter to the mediation encounter.

This professional doctorate project examines the function of language interpreting in mediation. It sets out to examine the dynamics of the interpreted mediation encounter through the collection and thematic analysis of qualitative data from semi-structured face-to-face interviews with mediators and interpreters. My project is the second phase of work that I contributed on interpreting in mediation to the Understanding Justice (hereafter UJ) project between 2014 and 2016, funded by the Directorate General Justice of the European Commission.

Mediators use a range of communication strategies to mitigate conflict and encourage negotiation. The introduction of an interpreter, however, raises the possibility of these strategies being derailed, and it requires insight on the part of mediators and interpreters into the peculiar demands of interpreting in the mediation encounter to successfully implement them across languages. The demands of mediating through an interpreter remain, however, unexamined and insight into how mediation and interpreting interact in practice is limited.

My DProf project seeks to address this topic by posing the following research questions:

i. How do mediators experience the use of interpreters in mediation?

ii. What impact does the use of an interpreter have on a mediation’s progress and outcomes?

iii. How do interpreters understand their own role and function in mediation?

My research indicates that the understanding of how to successfully incorporate language interpreting into mediation practice is still in a primitive state, compared to other areas of criminal and civil judicial activity. I therefore complete my research report with recommendations based on the data for how mediators can adapt their practice to the demands of the mediation encounter.

Sustainable Development Goals16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Department nameHealth, Social Care and Education
Institution nameMiddlesex University
PublisherMiddlesex University Research Repository
Publication dates
Online28 Aug 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted01 Mar 2021
Deposited28 Aug 2024
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
Supplemental file
File Access Level
Safeguarded
Additional information

Appendix One has been redacted.

LanguageEnglish
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https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/18z556

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Accepted author manuscript
BTownsley thesis.pdf
File access level: Open

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Related outputs

Technological support for testing
Townsley, B., Braun, S. and Sandrelli, A. 2014. Technological support for testing. in: Assessing Legal Interpreter Quality Through Testing and Certification: The Qualitas Project Alicante Universidad de Alicante. pp. 109-139
Interpreting test format
Townsley, B., Ortega, J. and Sandrelli, A. 2014. Interpreting test format. in: Assessing Legal Interpreter Quality Through Testing and Certification: The Qualitas Project Alicante Universidad de Alicante. pp. 40-67
Principles of testing
Townsley, B., Van Deemter, R. and Maxwell-Hyslop, H. 2014. Principles of testing. in: Assessing Legal Interpreter Quality Through Testing and Certification: The Qualities Project Alicante Universidad de Alicante. pp. 27-39
Interpreting in the UK community: some reflections on public service interpreting in the UK
Townsley, B. 2008. Interpreting in the UK community: some reflections on public service interpreting in the UK. Language and Intercultural Communication. 7 (2), pp. 163-171. https://doi.org/10.2167/laic272.0
Building mutual trust 2
Townsley, B., Corsellis, A., Vanden Bosch, Y., Rombouts, D., Maxwell-Hyslop, H., Giambruno, C. and Braun, S. Building mutual trust 2.
The training of trainers for legal Interpreting and Translation
Townsley, B. 2011. The training of trainers for legal Interpreting and Translation. in: Building Mutual Trust: a framework project for implementing EU common standards in legal interpreting and translating London Middlesex University. pp. 308-318
Building mutual trust: a framework project for implementing EU common standards in legal interpreting and translation
Townsley, B., Hertog, E., Giambruno, C., Corsellis, A., Ghiviriga, T., Vanden Bosch, Y., Martinsen, B., Wolsh Rasmussen, K., Valero-Garces, C., Maxwell-Hyslop, H., Clement, A., Sandrelli, A. and Gorm Hansen, I. Townsley, B. (ed.) 2011. Building mutual trust: a framework project for implementing EU common standards in legal interpreting and translation. London Middlesex University.