본문 바로가기
  • Home

Ethnic Minority interpreters: a mishmash of professionals and semi-professionals?

Gurung Sangi 1

1Hong Kong Baptist University

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study explores identity construction of Ethnic Minority (EM) interpreters in Hong Kong, working in the legal settings. It attempts to examine how they make sense of their EM identity in relation to their professional identity, as the Judiciary registered interpreters. In examining their identities, it unravels historical and socio-economic dynamics that contributed to institutionalising interpreting practice and mechanisms in place. The macro level structure, as a determinant of the subversive positioning of the micro level practice and the interplay between the two realms will be probed, which as a whole, impacts professional identity of the interpreters. The identity formation of these interpreters is closely constituted in their practice and intertwined by their perception towards interpreting, as well as their professional identity and status within the judicial system. A sociological framework on identity construction has been employed in analysing the empirical data collected as a part of the doctoral research. Some of the key methods used for the fieldwork are social networks (Milroy, 1987, 2003) and critical ethnography (Madison, 2005). The current project documents the existing system and aims to provide viable recommendations for the professional growth of interpreters and their practice within the field.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.