Bar Takn

Response Paper

Ruiz Rosendo, L. & Persaud, C. (2016). Interpreting in conflict zones throughout history. Linguistica
Antverpiensia, New Series: Themes in Translation Studies, 15, 135

Interpreters and interpreting in conflict zones and scenarios: A historical perspective

Luca Ruiz Rosendo

This article is about how interpreting was used in conflict zones and how it affected relations at that

time. It gives many examples on conflict interpreting no matter during which era it was. It lays

emphasis especially on the role on the interpreter and how it could not be seen as important as it

should be. Interpreters are the connecion between people, groups and states and they are the only

way to understand each other, so those people should have more reputation and should be

considered more to provide trainings. This article was published on Linguictica Antverpiensia which

has a target audience of people who are interested in translating, translation studies and linguistics. I

think this article is a perfect example to show the role and importance of interpreters and how it

lacks significance. Their job is so crucial that even one mistake would ruin everything and they would

be the only responsible for it. However when it came to conflicts and international relations in the

past, the importance and the value of interpreters could not be seen and they were not regarded so

important.

Authors purpose in this article is to give many examples about interpreting of conflicts throughout

the history and how it began to come into prominence as we reach new eras. Author gives details on

examples of events including interpreting. In my opinion the strong side of this argument is the

richness of events to show the importantce of interpreting. Examples include interpreting during

Ancient Sumer, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, World Wars and so on. It does not

only focus on recent years but also keeps us informed about the time which interpreting has just
begun. The thesis and conclusion is clearly stated and as a translator I find this article very easy to

read and useful. The evidences that author gives broadens the horizon not only about the history of

interpreting but also the international relations of the past.

This article is cut out for people who are interested both in history and linguistics or translation

studies. It gives facts about major historical events on mankind and their relation with interpreting

and also author shares his opinions about them. Before I have started reading the article, just by

looking at the title, I thought that it was going to be a boring and complex article with lots of

incomprehensible words and terms. I am not a person who is interested in History that much,

however as I began to read I realized that it attracted my attention so much that I finished the article

in no time. My interest in translation and interpreting forced me to read more and more and as it is a

fluid article, it did not take that long to finish. It is easy to follow and organized well, it does not jump

from on topic to another one. The order of the events is also arranged chronogically so you can easily

see the evolution and the effect of conflict zones interpreting as time passes by. I am not of the

opinion that article lacks information because you can find everything and even more of you wanted

to learn in this article. The style of the author suits the intended audience, it sometimes gives

detailed information about events and interpreting process or it shows some terms which might be

complex for people who are not interested in this subject, however these terms can easily be

understood by people who are knowledgeable with history and translation studies. The article does

not hold unnecessary complexity which makes it easy to read for all audiences. Authors language is

not charged with emotion or bias, the article gives specific historical examples. These examples are

the history of the mankind and known by every person. He looks at these event with throught the

window of translation studies and its importance.

There are no illustrations or charts used in this article but they are not necessary as it does not give

quantitative data. Qualitative and detailed information is provided for the reader and this

information is clear enough to be understood well.

I have not seen any weak parts of this article as I really enjoyed reading it. Detailed examples about

conlflict interpreting were satifsying, the language was fluid and the text in general was not complex.

There can not be any counterarguments to authors claims in my opinions because everyone should

agree that the importance of conflict zones interpreting must be realized and given reputation. It is

irrefutable that interpreting is the connection, the link, the bridge of conversations and relations an

deven if it was not considered as an esteemd work, it has been getting more respected in the past

few decades. Considering the historical parts of the article, the information given is logical and not

biased, in fact the authot does not even need to distort the topic and use misinformation as his

intention is to provide knowledge on conflicts, interpreting of them and the importance of it.

When I think of my personal point of interests, this article contains information which are intriguing

for me. I have been interested in translation and interpreting since my childhood and I love to read

articles, new, texts concerning this field. As a person who wants to be a good translator and

interpreter, gaining more knowledge on the history of interpreting of conflicts contributed to me a

lot and made me realize the importance of this crucial bridge of people once more. When it comes

to consider this article with the view of human experience as a whole, as I stated previously, the vital

role of connecting people by interpreting is undeniable and it should be given more consideration.

Tranings regarding this matter should be provided in order to build stronger bridges between people

and states. The stronger the bridge gets, the healthier relations become. The sum and the substance

of it, I totally agree what is stated in this article and I give full support. I recommend this article to

everyone who is interested in history of mankind, linguistics and translation studies. Even if it seems
long, it contains information which makes you enlightened while you enjoy reading a well written

article.