An Investigation into the Interpreters’ Challenges in Conflict Zones: Yemen as a Case in Point
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/nvts.2022.28Keywords:
conflict zones, ethical issues, humanitarian crisis, interpreters, war, YemenAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the challenges encountered by interpreters working in conflict zones in Yemen. The study followed a mixed- method research design of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis to answer the research questions. The study sample, which was selected by the complete census method, consisted of (49) professional interpreters working for international organizations in Yemen. Three research tools were used: a close-ended questionnaire to investigate the challenges that encounter interpreters working in conflict zones in Yemen; a competency-based interview to evaluate the role of the conflict zone interpreters in promoting humanitarian operations, and a focus group discussion to identify the ethical issues that interpreters experience when working in conflict zones. This study was conducted amid the ongoing armed conflict in Yemen. The study results revealed that social and cultural challenges were the most significant challenges encountering interpreters in conflict zones and that the role of interpreters in conflict zones significantly positively promoted humanitarian relief operations. Their roles included supporting, coordinating, facilitating, communicating, mediating, and other secondary roles. The results also showed that interpreters in conflict zones faced several ethical issues, such as confidentiality, accuracy and competency, impartiality, neutrality and integrity, social and culture norms. The study null hypotheses were accepted. The demographic data analysis showed no significant differences in the mean score of all variables challenges according to the Demographic Data of the study sample. The study concluded that interpreters experienced many linguistic, cultural, social, and psychological challenges as well as several ethical issues that may impede the progress of their work. In spite of that, the interpreters played vital roles in promoting humanitarian operations in Yemen. These results proposed several recommendations for all stakeholders, including warring parties, international non-governmental organizations, interpreters, universities, and research and translation centers. They were invited to pay more attention to training interpreters on strategies and methods of working in conflict zones, keeping interpreters away from any conflict of interest, and considering the key roles that interpreters perform in supporting humanitarian actions on the ground during the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.