Seeking direction in language directionality – conference interpreting at the crossroads between theory and practice

Abstract

This dissertation examines the role of language directionality in conference interpret-ing in South Africa with the purpose of highlighting the need for bidirectional inter-preting in a South African context. Western mainstream doctrines prescribe for in-terpreters to work only towards their native (mother) tongue. However, in the multi-lingual South African context, where the majority of the population speaks at least two languages, the idea of language directionality has not been given much thought. Nevertheless, there seems to be a demand for bidirectional interpreters. The study aims to argue in favour of a language bi-directionality in interpreting through empha-sising its theoretical plausibility and practical evidence within the field of conference interpreting in South Africa. The dissertation is the result of an extended literature review and a survey carried out in South Africa in 2013 among conference interpreters working in the country.