One additional aspect that I want to use this platform for is to discuss some aspects of "interpreting in conflict zones", as I believe a lot of misinformation exists on this topic, including amongst professional interpreters.
For instance many #Terps have signed the UN petition to protect Translators and Interpreters in armed conflict. This petition is also supported widely by professional associations. I have not, as I believe its implicit analogy with journalism is misguided.
There is a lot of groundwork in terms of professional ethics, disciplinary instances, national organizations and sensitisation that interpreters need to do before we can claim a status akin to the press for any individual who interprets or is employed as an interpreter.
I am happy to elaborate on this if there is an interest. But a blanket protection status for T&I under international law might is really tricky in my view. Starting from defining who counts as a "Linguist" legally...
... all the way to creating a clear path to deal with the - documented! - instances of interpreters affiliated with the armed forces who have actively engaged in "enhanced interrogation" (i.e. torture) with or on behalf of their employers.
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