The increasing need for immediate communication, amplified by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a surge in volunteer translation. While research exists on volunteer translators' motivations and ethical considerations, limited work examines their discursive construction of identity and power dynamics. This study addresses this gap by focusing on volunteer translators in Spanish NGOs, utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA) to understand how they construct their identities within a societal context. The research questions guiding this study are: RQ1: To what extent do translator volunteers represent volunteering? RQ2: What are the ideologies identified in their discourse? RQ3: To what extent do their discourses legitimize or challenge volunteer translation practices? The study employs CDA, specifically Fairclough's model, to analyze semi-structured interviews with volunteer translators. The third sector, represented by NGOs, is the focus due to its crucial role in addressing social needs beyond the scope of public and private institutions. The research aims to explore the positions occupied by volunteer translators and how their discursive positioning contributes to identity construction.

Existing research in translation studies has examined various aspects of volunteer translation, including motivations (Jones 2019; Olohan 2014), ethical implications (Basalamah 2020), and the use of volunteer translation in training (Sánchez Ramos 2021; Tziafa 2019). However, little research has explored the discursive construction of volunteer translator identity and their societal position, unlike studies on other volunteer groups (Friedrich 2019; Kang and Hong 2020; Yap et al. 2011). The article reviews existing literature on volunteerism, defining the volunteer as someone undertaking altruistic activities, often associated with humanitarian aid and contributing to democratic values (Ariño Villarroya and Castelló Cogollos 2008). The complexities of defining volunteer translation are highlighted, including issues of remuneration (Pym 2011; Snyder and Omoto 2008), volunteer profiles (Jiménez Crespo 2017), and the debate among professional translators regarding ethical and visibility concerns (Jones 2019). The study also acknowledges the various terms used to describe volunteer translation, ranging from community translation to online social translation (O'Hagan 2011; McDonough Dolmaya 2012; Perrino 2009; Jiménez Crespo 2017; Desjardins 2017; Désilets 2007; Pérez-González and Susam-Saraeva 2012; Cronin 2010; Pym 2011; Anastasiou and Gupta 2011; Ray and Kelly 2011; McDonough and Sánchez Ramos 2019). The article draws upon previous research on volunteer translator motivations (Cámara de la Fuente 2015; Deriemaeker 2014; Olohan 2014), their role in training programs (Desjardins 2011; Sánchez Ramos 2019), professional attitudes towards collaboration (Gough 2011; Läubli and Orrego-Carmona 2017), and their work in the third sector (Boéri and Maier 2010; Tesseur 2019). However, it notes the lack of studies analyzing volunteer translator identity and societal positioning using methodologies similar to those employed in other disciplines. The authors cite Fahey (2005) and Kang and Hong (2020) as examples of research using CDA to analyze volunteer identity and power relations.

This qualitative research employed critical discourse analysis (CDA), specifically Fairclough's three-dimensional model (1992, 1995, 2005), to examine the discursive construction of volunteer translator identities. The study drew upon Grönlund's (2011) definition of identity as an individual's sense of self, encompassing abilities, roles, values, background, and reference groups. CDA facilitated analysis of power relations and language use within specific sociopolitical contexts. Fairclough's tripartite view of discourse—text, process, and social practice—guided the analysis, connecting discursive and non-discursive elements to understand societal relationships. The research focused on discerning social practices (translation) within a specific scenario (volunteering) and aimed for social intervention through contextualized interpretation and explanation. Following Kang and Hong (2020), the study used Fairclough's CDA model, considering discourse as an element of social processes, events, and practices; as text production and interpretation; and as meaning acquired through relations with others. The researchers analyzed oral exchanges (interview data) inductively, focusing on language and interaction within their context. This approach explored how the discursive construction of identities influenced the societal image of volunteer translators and examined the tensions and power relations shaping their social identity. The sample comprised 25 volunteer translators (and former postgraduate students) from the University of Alcalá's Master in Intercultural Communication and Public Service Translation and Interpretation program (2020-2022). Purposeful sampling was employed, targeting individuals with knowledge of the phenomenon under investigation (Plainkas et al. 2015; Cresswell and Plano Clark 2011). Participants (mean age 23, 75% female) represented diverse nationalities and five different NGOs: Salud entre culturas, Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado (CEAR), Mujeres por África, Save the Children, and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders. The Spanish NGOs primarily focused on migrant populations, while Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières are international organizations with offices in Spain. Semi-structured interviews (approx. 35-40 min), conducted in English, served as the primary data collection instrument. The interviews focused on participants' NGOs, internship durations, translation tasks, and experiences (positive/negative aspects, impact on daily life, perceptions of translation within the NGO context). Participants were also asked about their continued involvement in volunteer work. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using QDA Miner Lite software (Provalis Research 2020), employing topic codifications and keywords (volunteer + translator, community, humanitarian, society, professional). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

The CDA revealed two main discursively constructed identities among the volunteer translators: **1. Social Identity (Continuing Volunteers):** Translators who continued volunteering constructed a social identity centered on two axes: (a) the volunteer translator as an agent of change and (b) the volunteer translator as part of a community. **(a) Agent of Change:** These translators viewed themselves as citizens with a social mission, tackling social injustices and advocating for the most disadvantaged. They emphasized helping others, changing society, and listening to marginalized voices. Their work brought personal fulfillment and self-realization. Examples from the interviews included statements about translating documents on injustices and child trafficking, feeling empowered to make a difference, and highlighting the importance of listening to the voices of the most disadvantaged. **(b) Community Membership:** Translation was perceived as a collaborative activity, involving commitment to a community and leading to an exchange of social experiences. Volunteers emphasized the support and collaboration they received from fellow translators and the value of teamwork. They highlighted sharing experiences and receiving help in resolving translation issues, showing a sense of community and mutual support. **2. Professional Identity (Former Volunteers):** Translators who had stopped volunteering constructed a professional identity focused on the perceived lack of resources, training, and recognition within NGOs. They viewed translation as a specialized profession requiring skills and training, criticizing the devaluation of translation through unpaid volunteer work. **(a) Lack of Resources and Training:** A common theme was the lack of resources, equipment, and training within the NGOs. Volunteers complained about inadequate support and feeling undervalued, describing situations where they were left to deal with complex translation tasks without adequate guidance or support. **(b) Underappreciation and Devaluation of the Profession:** This group expressed strong criticism of the lack of recognition for their work within the NGOs. They argued that NGOs should employ trained professionals rather than relying on volunteers, emphasizing the need for appropriate remuneration and recognition of translation as a specialized skill. Some felt that allowing untrained individuals to undertake translation devalues the profession and diminishes their own skills and expertise. They voiced concerns about the intrusion of untrained volunteers and the lack of professional standards in volunteer translation. The contrasting identities reflect a discursive tension, with continuing volunteers embracing a social identity and finding empowerment through societal contribution, while former volunteers prioritized a professional identity, seeking recognition and emphasizing the specialized nature of translation.

The findings address the research questions by revealing two contrasting identities among volunteer translators, demonstrating a significant tension related to their self-perception and societal positioning. The contrasting discourses of continuing and former volunteers highlight the complexities of volunteer translator identity within NGOs. Continuing volunteers legitimize volunteer translation through their framing of themselves as agents of social change and community members, finding personal and professional fulfillment in their work. Conversely, former volunteers challenge volunteer translation, emphasizing its potential to devalue the profession and the need for better working conditions and recognition of their expertise. The lack of clarity regarding the role of the volunteer translator in society, highlighted by the two contrasting identities, reinforces the need for further research exploring the dynamics between volunteer and professional translators in the 21st century. The study suggests that NGOs need to define their relationships with volunteer translators more clearly, and that better communication channels and supportive structures are needed. The contrasting identities could also influence how NGOs attract and retain volunteer translators, underscoring the importance of providing meaningful experiences that align with a sense of purpose and empowerment.

This study contributes to the understanding of volunteer translators' identities and the complex relationship between volunteer work and professional practice within the NGO context. The findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the roles and expectations of volunteer translators, as well as the importance of clear communication and reciprocal relationships between NGOs and their volunteers. Future research could explore the perspectives of NGOs themselves to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the discursive construction of volunteer translator identities and potentially compare volunteer translators with other types of volunteers. Expanding the study to include a larger and more diverse sample of volunteer translators and a wider range of NGOs would also strengthen the findings and generalizability of the results.

This study's focus on a specific group of trained translators from a particular university program may limit the generalizability of the findings to other volunteer translator populations with differing levels of training and experience. The reliance on self-reported data through interviews might introduce bias, although efforts were made to ensure anonymity and a relaxed atmosphere during the interview process. The study's focus on Spanish NGOs may also restrict the transferability of the results to other national or international contexts. Further research is needed to explore the diversity of volunteer translator experiences and to address the limitations identified.