ABSTRACT
Instances of ‘dialogue interpreting’ being used synonymously with ‘community interpreting’ or ‘public service interpreting’ are found in the literature. The prevalent approach today is to consider dialogue interpreting (DI) as the overarching term for a variety of non-conference interpreting activities, as initially suggested in the two seminal volumes edited by Ian Mason. The scope of DI as a field of research has broadened considerably in terms of settings, participation frameworks, interpreting modes and research design. According to Mason, as a type of encounter DI is “interpreter-mediated communication in spontaneous face-to-face interaction”. Research on DI has moved away from a monologic view of communication which presupposes that meanings are the products of individual speakers and exist as predetermined and complete entities in their minds. Recognition of interpreter agency as a fundamental tenet of DI has also initiated a debate on the twin themes of role and professional ethics.
