Interpreting and Translation Research Group

The Interpreting and Translation Research Group (ITRG) comprises a group of scholars interested in investigating the many different and complex aspects of Interpreting and Translation. The members of the group have a common base discipline of Linguistics, with links to other disciplines such as Legal studies, Literature, Psychology and Technology. The group’s broad significance lies in its power to effect positive change in cross-linguistic communication and cross-cultural understanding in a globalised world where nations are ethnically and linguistically diverse.

The importance of Interpreting and Translation in the world is often not widely recognised. The misconception that simply speaking two languages equates to being a translator or interpreter is still prevalent. Yet, evaluations of interpreting and translation practice often show that quality services are the exception rather than the norm. What makes good interpreters and translators? How can the appropriate competencies be better taught and acquired? What are the influences of the setting, the participants, and the goals of the interaction on the interpreting quality? What are the influences of interpreters on the outcome of bilingual encounters? These are some of the questions that the ITRG aims to answer through empirical, applied research.

Aims of the Research Group:

• To conduct applied, interdisciplinary research that addresses questions generated by the practice, with a special emphasis on Community Interpreting and Translation.
• To conduct research that can improve the quality of Interpreting and Translation services to ensure access and equity for members of our ethnic communities, thus responding to the needs of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) population of Western Sydney.
• To conduct research that can inform and improve the training of interpreters and translators, especially in the language combinations offered by our undergraduate and postgraduate programs (Arabic-English, Chinese/Mandarin-English, Japanese/English, and Spanish/English).
• To provide an active platform for practitioners, students, educators, and researchers to meet and discuss research needs and the application of research results, thus strengthening the nexus between research, training and practice.
• To support research training in line with the UWS strategic goal to 'achieve outstanding performance in research and scholarship that is distinguished by its interdisciplinary focus and relevant to industry, government and the community'.

Main Areas of Research:

Legal Interpreting

Medical Interpreting

Translation Technologies

Discourse/Textual structures in Translation

Applications of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories to interpreting and translation competence

Literary Translation

Seminar series and annual symposium

The research group hosts a regular seminar series where staff, research students and guest speakers present the results of current research. It also hosts an annual national research symposium which focuses on the application of research results to a specific area of interpreting and translation. Renowned international guest speakers are invited to present at these fora.

International refereed journal

The ITRG hosts Translation and Interpreting. The international journal of translation and interpreting research; an online refereed journal which aims to generate a cross-fertilization between research, training and practice.