Exploring the semiotic complexity of the information exchange process in healthcare interpreting: How gestural omissions and additions can impact the amount and type of information exchanged

A large body of research shows that interpreters actively shape meaning and can make changes to the originals in order to coordinate mutual understanding. In this paper, we broaden the discussion by investigating the potential impact of gestural shifts on the information exchange process and the coordination of common ground in interpreter-mediated medical encounters. A qualitative analysis of three excerpts shows that omitting and/or adding representational iconic and deictic gestures can potentially lead to changes in meaning, i.e., less/more concrete renditions. Moreover, as visualization is considered a cognitive aid strategy, omitting or adding gestures can make it more/less demanding for patients to capture the full meaning of the rendered composite utterances. However, the gestural shifts can, but may not necessarily, lead to communicative troubles. This paper thus supports the idea that interpreting entails an act of strategic decision-making, yet stresses the importance 1) of raising awareness about the use of the gestures amongst interpreters and 2) of informing healthcare providers about the complexity of integrating visual information in dialogue interpreting. This paper is therefore also a warm invitation to both parties to collaboratively seek for effective strategies to cope with the semiotic complexity of healthcare communication.