The paradoxical invisibility of translation in the highly multilingual context of news agencies

Abstract

This article focuses on plurilingual processes in two European-based news agencies: Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Agence télégraphique suisse (ATS). Fieldwork (observation and semi-structured interviews) was conducted in Switzerland at the regional office of AFP in Geneva and at the head office of ATS in Bern. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential consequences of a highly plurilingual production process on the one hand, and of the ostensible invisibility of multilingualism/translation on the other hand. Some of the interviewed journalists acknowledge the risks that may be posed by interlingual and intercultural transfer (translation), given the working norms of news agencies (rapidity, accuracy of information, and adaptation to the audience). However, the institutional denial of these possible biases may prevent news agencies from reducing them.