Mediating Intercultural Communication: the cultural filter and the Act of Translation/Interpreting

Abstract

Commonplaces and strong and passionate views abound when culture, cultural mediation and communication in general are considered. This is no less true in the field of translation and interpreting, where recent theoretical reflection has centred specifically on these issues. The following situating comment is useful: A cultural mediator is a person who facilitates communication. understanding, and action between persons or groups who differ with respect to language and culture. The role of the mediator is performed by interpreting the expressions, intentions, perceptions and expectations of each cultural group to the other, that is, by establishing and balancing the communication between them. In order to serve as a link in this sense, the mediator must be able to participate to some extent in both cultures. Thus a mediator must be to a certain extent bicultural (Taft 1981 :53).