Public Service Interpreting from a Gender Perspective. Approximation to the Case of Interpreting for Female Non-Spanish-Speaking Victims of Gender Violence

Abstract

This doctoral thesis was designed as a response to the lack of academic research on interpreting for female non-Spanish-speaking victims of gender violence. The main objective of this study is based on the analysis of the relevance of gender as a factor in these types of situations. The final goal of the study is twofold: to prompt interpreters to get specific training in the subject of gender violence and to raise awareness among public service professionals regarding the need to work with professional interpreters to reduce the gender asymmetry between the interpreter and the foreign victim.

The study was carried out from a gender-based perspective and brings together three disciplines: Translation and Interpreting Studies, Gender Studies and Law. The starting hypothesis posits the gender factor as an element that shapes professions, with interpreting in public services being an example of a “feminized” profession. The thesis also analyzes the influence of the gender factor, through the gender asymmetry between the interpreter and the foreign speaker during the interpreting process.

The methodology used in this study is based on mixed methods. To carry out the study quantitatively, several types of questionnaires aimed at interpreters, lawyers, psychologists and social workers, victims, and coordinators of emergency centers and shelters were designed. Due to the difficulties in obtaining qualitative data because of confidentiality issues, gender violence trials were observed in the Juzgados de Violencia sobre la Mujer de Madrid (Court of Violence Against Women of Madrid). To this end, an observation file model was designed in which information was collected regarding the configuration of the trials and various aspects related to the interpreting process, as well as other specific observations of each gender violence trial observed. Finally, the study was based on a corpus of 37 observation files, and in-depth interviews with several interpreters that work in the Juzgados de Violencia sobre la Mujer de Madrid were carried out in order to triangulate the data.

The results indicate that public service interpreting is a highly feminized profession. On the other hand, the analyzed data shows that, while interpreting for female non-Spanish-speaking victims of gender violence, the gender factor becomes relevant, although its relevance depends on the context (police station, trial, interview with the psychologist, etc.).