Neutrality and fidelity in interpreting

Abstract EN

This paper is an attempt at re-visiting the concepts of fidelity and neutrality (or accuracy and impartiality as they are respectively usually termed) in interpreting.

Although, both principles are widely acknowledged demands in the professional conduct of interpreters, they remain quite complex and controversial norms in the theoretical discussion on interpreting.

In addition to the parallel seemingly existing between fidelity and neutrality, it is suggested that neutrality is utopian and an unachievable goal, in contrast to the Codes of Ethics that have traditionally advocated for the least invasive role when interpreting, thus imperiling the interpreter’s fidelity either to the original or target message.

A considerable gap appears to exist between interpreters’ practices in real life work settings and standards of conduct established on paper.

Due to the fact that interpreting is not a single invariant phenomenon, new perspectives in Interpreting Studies seem to increasingly reject the idea of absolute neutrality and highlight the need to revisit the interpreter’s role