Emilija Sarzhoska-Georgievska

Interpreter Training: The Importance of Acquiring Intercultural Skills

In interpreted communication there is the co-presence of two or more cultural and language systems which inevitably give rise to potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the original, intended message issued by the speaker. The point of departure of the study is the understanding that in practicing their profession, besides being language experts, interpreters are also cultural mediators. In other words, interpreters need to develop intercultural skills and competencies, not only linguistic expertise.

The study discusses basic concepts of intercultural communication and examines the relationship between interpreting and intercultural awareness, particularly focusing on the role and specific skills of the interpreter. To this effect, a survey was carried out among professional interpreters in the Republic of Macedonia. The aim of the survey was twofold: to find out whether experienced interpreters become ‘visible’ and influence the flow of meaning  during the interpretation by performing cultural mediation as well as linguistic, and to test interpreters’ point of view of the way they perceive their role during the interpretative event. Findings are discussed in view of the varying perceptions of what constitutes the ideal role of the interpreter – to serve not only as a linguistic, but also as an intercultural mediator. The importance of including the teaching of intercultural communication as part of the interpreter training program at the Faculty of Philology “Blazhe Koneski” – Skopje, will also be highlighted.

Key words: conference interpreting; intercultural communication; intercultural communicative competence.