Gerechtstolken in Malta: een etnografische studie

The title of this study is Legal interpreting in Malta - An ethnographic study. This study is limited to the role taken up by the interpreter in the Maltese Criminal Court and the impact of role adoption by interpreters. Three elements are immediately identifiable as essential to this research project: those of context, language and role. The context is that of the Maltese Criminal Court and the adversarial procedural system within which the court interpreter functions. The second element consists of the different uses of language within such context. The final element is that of roles adopted by interpreters within this context. A qualitative methodology has been selected for this study. This shall be carried out through an ethnographic study. The aim is to carry out a grounded study in a situated activity within its context of situation. While starting from pure observation and note-taking in the field, investigations will also be made as to the possibility of obtaining documents concerning cases heard in the criminal courts. The analysis of data arising from the observation of the case studies will draw on different disciplines. Reference is made to Translation and Interpreting Studies for roles established and to understand meaning-making in interpreting. Discourse Analysis will be used to record differences between source and target texts. Forensic linguistics explain the particular use of language in court. The law is necessary for an understanding of contextual demands, including prescribed role, and the impact of changes introduced from source to target text through interpretation (should documents become available). Sociology, more particularly Goffman's Frame Analysis may be used to interpret interpreter action.