New professional profiles for linguistic mediation: community interpreting

“New professional profiles for Linguistic Mediation: Community Interpreting” Until a decade ago, the only interpreting activities deemed worthy of scientific research were simultaneous and consecutive translation, the two principal modes of conference interpreting. Important political and cultural changes, including mass migrations and globalization, have changed working conditions for conference interpreters and have enormously increased the importance of other modes of translation, used outside the conference context. Due to the effect of globalization, more and more attention is being drawn to various forms of oral linguistic mediation, among which community interpreting, or interpreting for public services (health care, legal and police institutions, immigration services and social service agencies). The contribution is designed to provide an overview of the status of the Italian situation as far as community interpreting is concerned, and shed some light on the role and working conditions of community interpreters, particularly those working in the medical field. What role is envisioned for the linguistic mediator working as an interpreter outside the conference room? A description and analysis will be made of the linguistic competences required, the communication skills and personality traits required to perform such a delicate job. Finally, pedagogical issues will be discussed and a proposal for a possible training methodology will be outlined, highlighting specific coping strategies for future community interpreters.