Visibility of Chinese ad hoc medical interpreters through text ownership: A case study

Professional interpreters’ visibility in the European context has been widely discussed field of community interpreting, but untrained ad hoc interpreters non-European contexts such as China received little academic attention. By adopting concept “text ownership” proposed by Angelelli (2004a), this study examines Chinese manifestations an authentic medical setting. Based on observations, audio recordings and interviews, reports four types demonstrated interpreters: (a) replacing interlocutor; (b) expressing affect towards a patient; (c) exploring answers; (d) brokering comprehension. Other forms are also identified, omissions doctors’ or patients’ remarks small talk between doctor interpreter. Interpreters’ deeply held views social factors well institutional norms they have exposed to believed influence their manipulation discourses. This concludes that where professional interpreting services unavailable, may act linguistic facilitators taking various roles go beyond mere interpreting. However, excessive give rise potential clinical risks, especially when direct doctor–patient communication is compromised. Attention drawn importance proper training need for professionalization China.