Cultural differences in nonverbal communication and their implications in public service interpreting

This paper intends to underline the importance of nonverbal cues in intercultural communication and especially in the profession of the interpreter in the public services. The first chapter focuses on giving an overview on the different components of nonverbal communication by providing a definition and examples. The chapter then analyses the different functions carried out by nonverbal language. The second chapter addresses cultural differences related to nonverbal language and provides examples for every component of nonverbal language. It also explains the distinction between high context cultures and low context cultures. Lastly, the third chapter first gives an overview on Public Service Interpreting (PSI), explaining the main features and characteristics. It then provides real examples of cultural misunderstandings related to nonverbal language which occurred in public services and gives the techniques used by interpreters to solve them. This chapter includes examples of various nonverbal cues including eye contact, touch, silence, and hand gestures.

Translanguaging in linguistic mediation

Translanguaging is quite common both in bilingual conversation and in interpreted discourse and poses challenges that mediators need to address in their work, training, and in the theoretical study of this activity. The impact of translanguaging on communication is very significant and affects the nature and workings of conversational exchanges, the identity of multilinguals, and the concept of language. This paper will examine how this plays a role in interaction and, specifically, in interpreter-mediated communication, arguing that linguistic and cultural mediation should consider such multilingual practices.