A study of facework in interpreter-mediated courtroom examination

Abstract

Drawing on authentic data from Korean interpreter-mediated witness examination in Australian courts, this paper examines facework in the context of the interpreter-mediated courtroom examination. Based on both conceptual and interactional notion of face, this paper focuses on repair attempts when miscommunication, be it actual or potential, arises. The data analysis demonstrates that the interpreter's face is closely connected to the face game in the courtroom, and that a part of the habitus of the interpreter is to engage with issues of face. The dynamic facework in the interpreter-mediated courtroom examination indicates that facework is central to communicative courtroom interactions and that the facework of the interpreter may have potential implications for courtroom interactions. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.