Horizontal methodologies in community interpreting studies: Conducting research with Latin American service users in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Community interpreting norms and research have been heavily influenced by a Western-centric community of practitioners and an individualist, positivist philosophy. This has resulted not only in an entrenched emphasis on professional interpreters’ detachment, neutrality, and invisibility but also in research which often ignores interpreting service users from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This article addresses the complexity of operationalising horizontal methodologies during interpreting research in an effort to centre marginalised voices and epistemologies. The study involved a research project conducted with the Latin American community in Aotearoa New Zealand, employing horizontal one-on-one and group dialogues to assess interpreting service users’ views on allyship and social justice in spoken-language community interpreting. In this article, horizontal methodologies are presented as a culturally affirming way for Latin American service users to co-produce knowledge, and for Latin American researchers to engage with their own identity, recognise their impact on society, and challenge colonial research practices and interpreting norms.

Availability and acceptability of interpreting services for refugees as a question of trauma-informed care

“…This article argues that the culture and language barriers experienced by refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand compound with the inherent ordeal of (re)settlement and increase the risk of (re)traumatisation. Given the scarcity of Public Service Interpreting research focusing on the views and experiences of the clients (e.g., Marianacci, 2022), this article explores the perspectives of refugee-background clients concerning their need for and use of interpreters for accessing public services.…”

“…However, besides such lack of information, the participants' experiences suggest the need for official guidelines that consider the actual needs of CALD clients. More research incorporating the views of interpreting clients (e.g., Marianacci, 2022) could help bridge this gap.…”

“…Nevertheless, a lack of consultation with migrant and refugee groups in the development and implementation of the project challenges the suitability of the service for vulnerable and potentially traumatised clients. This gap in available knowledge is further mirrored by the scant number of studies by local scholars relying on the perspectives of interpreting service users (e.g., Marianacci, 2022).…”