Children and teenagers acting as language brokers: The perception of teachers at secondary schools

Abstract

Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS) usually investigates translation and interpreting by adults who perform either as professionals or amateurs. However, under the current migration reality, there are many children and teenagers who act as translators and interpreters for their parents and (extended) families or communities, without any training or acknowledgement. To distinguish them from professional, adult translators and interpreters they are called Child Language Brokers. This article seeks to shed some light on their reality, which has received little, if any, attention from scholars in the translation, interpreting and interculturality fields. After a general overview of the existing literature, the design and results of a study conducted in Barcelona (Spain) in 2019 and 2020 are reported. The aim of the study is to describe the existing reality with a view to contributing to mapping the actual situation of child language brokering around the world.

Young Immigrants Acting as Interpreters and Communication Facilitators

“…While translating can impart a sense of self-worth and confidence in children, it can simultaneously cause stress. The agency and influence that children and young people have over the messages they convey is commonly referred to as 'Child Language Brokering' in Translation Studies (TS) (Jutorán & Vargas-Urpí, 2022). This differs from the word-for-word translation and interpretation that professionals often provide.…”