"A crime in another language?" An analysis of the interpreter's role in the yousry case

Abstract

The authors of this study apply discourse analysis to the Arabic<>English interpretation performed by Mohamed Yousry for Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman and his lawyer, Lynn Stewart. The article begins with a review of the latest research in the field that highlights the interpreter’s role as co-participant in the communicative event, debunking the traditional notion of the interpreter as conduit. On the basis of transcripts of videotaped interviews between Abdel-Rahman and Stewart with Yousry acting as interpreter, the authors analyze the particular ways in which Yousry exercised his agency as a co-participant. By creating an Arabic-centered discourse, Yousry effectively marginalized Stewart while placing Abdel-Rahman in a discursive position of authority. This study is an example of the research necessary to develop best practices for interpreters that acknowledge their agency in the interpreted communicative event.