ABSTRACT
In the wake of neoliberal, corporate-led globalization and at a time when the social, economic, ecological and human situation in many regions of the world has been worsening at an unprecedented rate, activists have increasingly resorted to translation in their attempt to connect across the globe and to bring about social and political change. Research on activism has so far focused less on textual intervention and more on the broader role of the translator as a social and political actor. Paradoxically, it is in the field of conference interpreting – which has traditionally serviced the most powerful players in society and promoted the strongest rhetoric of non-intervention – that activist practices have led to a significant shift in perspective. Awareness of the risks, tensions and contradictions involved in activism means that civil society is not considered as a normative ideal space where being involved as a volunteer and being politically engaged is inherently good.
