A Look at How We Discuss the Work: Observations of Feedback in the Interpreting Classroom

The aim of this study is to look at how the work of interpreting is discussed in the classroom. The focus was specifically on the language content and types of feedback being modeled by the instructors to the interpreting students. Data was collected through observations of an Interpreting II and Interpreting III course at San Antonio College. The hypothesis was that there would be a notable difference in the feedback given based on the level of student as well as a decrease in how often the feedback utterances of the students were reframed or redirected. The data showed negligible differences in the type and content of the feedback given by both instructors at the two different levels of the interpreting courses. The data illuminated the need for the incorporation of more appreciation feedback. Further research on how interpreters, mentors, interpreting educators and students discuss the work of interpreting is needed. The hope is that by implementing strategies that encourage and foster effective discussions universally we will then change the culture of horizontal violence that is prevalent in the field