Observations on diplomatic interpretation : history, characteristics and practice

Abstract EN

Interpreting is an activity that dates back to ancient times and interpreting in the diplomatic field has been practiced for many centuries because there were relationships between different nations that did not speak the same language.

In this paper, we briefly address the history of diplomatic interpreting, its properties, and the results of a survey on the diplomatic interpreting between Spanish and Arabic to link the theoretical part with practical reality.

In the history of interpreting, we have interpreters who were sent abroad to negotiate or sign agreements (interpreter-diplomat), while others did not success to enter the diplomatic career, and others worked in danger or even were assassinated.

We attempt to make a short overview of interpreting in diplomacy by highlighting the character of diplomatic language and the role of the interpreter (and translator) in conveying the meanings of this delicate and intelligent language, besides the other tasks which diplomatic interpreter can perform.

As well, we will address the interpreter's job which requires some linguistic, mental and interpersonal skills because the interpreter's role in diplomacy is not limited to the linguistic and cultural mediation, but includes other tasks.

We make a survey about the practice of diplomatic interpreting between Arabic and Spanish trying to relate theory to practice.