Interpreter visibility in press conferences: a multimodal conversation analysis of speaker-interpreter interactions

This study examines interpreter visibility in press conferences by analyzing speaker references to interpreters, using a multimodal conversation analysis of 98 excerpts from American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) press conferences. The analysis reveals six topics denoting how speakers make interpreters noticeable: appreciation, reminders about interpreting constraints, confirmations of interpretation accuracy, repairs of errors, humor, and expressions of care. Nonverbal cues significantly contribute to interpreter visibility, showing their active role and collaborative relationship with speakers in shaping the communicative environment.

Ruitian Li, Kanglong Liu, Andrew K. F. Cheung