Norms and strategies in simultaneous interpreting : the Maltese case

Abstract

This study is an investigation into the initial and operational strategies of Maltese beginner interpreters, interpreting in the Simultaneous mode. The study attempted to find a link between the non-equivalence and discrepancy that exists between Maltese and English language corpora, and the strategies adopted by the beginner interpreters in the face of this difference. The study tried to establish whether the initial strategies adopted by the interpreters were the same as their operational strategies, and whether these were idiosyncrasies or norms. It was observed that the initial strategies of Maltese beginner interpreters are similar to those of beginner interpreters in other studies. It was also noted that at times, the interpreters' operational strategies did not match their initial strategies. The view of this study is that when faced by a dense speech and terms which have no Maltese equivalent, beginner interpreters resorted to paraphrasing, re-wording or borrowing from SL. A conclusion as to whether the respondents' operational strategies were idiosyncrasies or norms could not be reached.