© Intercultural Studies Group Universitat Rovira i Virgili Events and the history of interpreting Anthony Pym

© Intercultural Studies Group On translation history Confess discontinuity (few “national traditions”) More attention to complex situations (translation as an event) Ask about what is translated. (What brought those people together.)

© Intercultural Studies Group Why interpreting? Not simultaneity Not the physical act of speaking or writing Not in any universal sociology Not in a heroism of the person Yes, because of a shared timeframe and illusory presence. A special relation to event.

© Intercultural Studies Group Why presence? Toledo c. 1175: ut auditoris animus fortius cohereat, quod a Galippo mixtarabe in lingua Tholetana didici latine subscribitur Girardus Tholetanus, qui gallipo mixtabarbe [sic] interpretante Almagesti [sic] latinauit

© Intercultural Studies Group Spoken performatives? I declare the meeting open.

© Intercultural Studies Group Proximate action 1. I want you to leave. 2. I order you to leave. 3. You have to leave. 4. You must leave. 5. Leave the room! 6. Get out! 7. Out! 8. [Gesture toward the door and facial expression indicating irritation.] 9. [Throwing the person out.] (Charles Bally, Linguistique générale et linguistique française, 1932)

© Intercultural Studies Group The event

© Intercultural Studies Group What is risk? The probability of failing (not meeting success conditions). Ethics of cooperation: Success means mutual benefits. Minimally: The benefits must be greater than the efforts (transaction costs).

© Intercultural Studies Group What risks are face by The sergeant? The villagers? The village elder? The interpreter?

© Intercultural Studies Group Risk management High impactLow Impact High frequencyDO SOMETHINGThink about it Low FrequencyThink about itOMIT?

© Intercultural Studies Group Risk management For the sergeant High impactLow Impact High frequencyAttacksOther cultures Low FrequencyBOMBSInterpreters

© Intercultural Studies Group Risk management For the villagers High impactLow Impact High frequencyAttacks by TalibanVisits by Taliban Low FrequencyAttacks by USVisits by US

© Intercultural Studies Group Risk management For the village elder (“wheat and ants”) High impactLow Impact High frequencyTell Taliban the truth Other villagers Low FrequencyTell US the truthInterpreter

© Intercultural Studies Group Risk management For the interpreter High impactLow Impact High frequencyMaintain trust of US Maintain trust of other tribes Low FrequencyBe seen as a traitor Presence of TV camera

© Intercultural Studies Group

Counterinsurgency - Learns from Mao: - Influence the common people. - Learns from Saul of Tarsis (Philippians 4:7): - And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (King James 2000). - (  · shall keep them as in a strong place or castle.)

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency Cultural knowledge is essential to waging a successful counterinsurgency. American ideas of what is “normal” or “rational” are not universal. To the contrary, members of other societies often have different notions of rationality, appropriate behavior, level of religious devotion, and norms concerning gender. Thus, what may appear abnormal or strange to an external observer may appear as self-evidently normal to a group member. For this reason, counterinsurgents—especially commanders, planners, and small-unit leaders—should strive to avoid imposing their ideals of normalcy on a foreign cultural problem. (1-80) -

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency insurgents hold a distinct advantage in their level of local knowledge. They speak the language, move easily within the society, and are more likely to understand the population’s interests. Thus, effective COIN operations require a greater emphasis on certain skills, such as language and cultural understanding, than does conventional warfare. (1-125)

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency In order to evaluate the people, the following six sociocultural factors should be analyzed: Society Social structure. Culture Language Power and authority Interests.

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency When dealing with Home Nation: Experience with the HN language, the ability to learn languages, or support of reliable translators. Patience and tolerance when dealing with language and translation barriers.

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency In traditional societies, women are hugely influential informing the social networks that insurgents use for support. When women support COIN efforts, families support COIN efforts. Getting the support of families is a big step toward mobilizing the local populace against the insurgency. Co-opting neutral or friendly women through targeted social and economic programs builds networks of enlightened self-interest that eventually undermine insurgents. Female counterinsurgents, including interagency people, are required to do this effectively. (A-35) -

© Intercultural Studies Group Counterinsurgency Category I linguists usually are hired locally and require vetting. They do not have a security clearance. They are the most abundant resource pool; however, their skill level is limited. Category II linguists are U.S. citizens with a secret clearance. Often they possess good oral and written communication skills. They should be managed carefully due to limited availability. Category II linguists interpret for battalion and higher. Category III linguists are U.S. citizens with a top secret clearance. They are a scarce commodity and often retained at division and higher levels of command. They have excellent oral and written communications skills.

© Intercultural Studies Group The truth of the event - Badiou, Alain Saint Paul: La fondation de l’universalisme