Role-Space Model: Redefining the Concept of the Interpreter’s Role for Assessment (R.G. Lee 2021)

ABSTRACT: The Role-Space Model: Redefining the Concept of the Interpreter’s Role

This presentation will provide an overview of the role-space model of interpreted interactions developed by Peter Llewellyn-Jones and Robert G. Lee (2014). The core premise is that a ‘role’ is not something that people have, rather is it something that people do. Interpreters must learn to make use of not only their linguistic and cognitive processing skills in interpreted interactions, but also must strategically employ interpersonal skills (e.g., presentation of self, participant alignment, empathy, etc.) in order to facilitate successful interactions between and amongst the primary participants in the interaction. Knowledge of these skills in the interpreter’s working languages are vital for effective interpreting to occur.

The role-space model proposes three interrelated dimensions of interpreter decision making and behaviour: interaction management, participant alignment and the presentation of self.  Decisions made by interpreters during interactions can be mapped to these axes. The interaction between and amongst these axes forms the role-space that an interpreter occupies in any given interaction. An overview of the role-space model will be presented along with specific examples of applications to interpreting in the medical and legal domains.

Reference: Llewellyn-Jones, P., & Lee, R. G. (2014). Redefining the Role of the Community Interpreter: The Concept of Role-Space. SLI Press.