Developing an intercultural intelligence model for trainee translators and interpreters

Abstract

Bachelor’s Degrees in Translation and Interpreting generally cover a wide range of subjects, from the applied language classes that focus on linguistic communication and intercultural competences to the more professionally oriented subjects that include specialised translation, conference and community interpreting, or translation technology, for instance. The work of translators and interpreters requires certain abilities to make intercultural communication possible in many different contexts among individuals from different backgrounds. In addition to fluency in both the source and the target language, translators and interpreters must also specialise in the contexts where they might have to work, as well as have extensive cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and intercultural intelligence (Clouet 2021). This presentation aims to give insights into the different stages in the acquisition of intercultural intelligence in higher education (Byram 1997 2020), and particularly in Faculties of Translation and Interpreting. The objective is particularly to look into the strengths and weaknesses of different models of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Intercultural Intelligence (ICQ), models of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC), as well as others directly related to Translation and Interpreting studies, to establish a general framework for Translation and Interpreting students and educators. We will start by introducing some of the major theories on intelligence, to then focus on five general approaches to cultural intelligence by authors from different fields, but none from the field of higher education, and even less from the field of translation and interpreting. The third and final step will focus on three educational approaches that will be put in parallel with the previous models in order to try and identify the specific value of intercultural intelligence for trainee translators and interpreters. This model is aimed at guiding students to develop their intercultural intelligence during their Degree and Master’s Degree studies.