‘Yes I understand’

Language choice, question formation and code-switching in interpreter-mediated police interviews with victim-survivors of domestic abuse

Bibliographic Data

ID21177652
AuthorsRebecca Tipton (0000-0001-6974-8226, University of Manchester, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume22
Issue1
Pages1058-1076
Publication date2021-01-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolice Practice and Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1561-4263 • E-ISSN: 1477-271X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15614263.2019.1663733
OpenAlexW2969524821
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited24

This article presents the findings of the analysis of authentic interpreter-mediated police interviews with victim-survivors of domestic abuse with a focus on question formation and delivery, language choice and code-switching. It is set against the backdrop of the forces wide inspection of police response to domestic abuse in England and Wales and implementation of EU Directive EU/2012/29 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims. Drawing on conversation analysis and available police interview guidelines, I show how the voice of the victim-survivor can remain obscured even when professional language support provisions are in place, and shed light on interpreting practices that can limit an interviewing officer’s ability to assess risk. I suggest that, while it may not be appropriate for interpreters to be present for the duration of the pre-interview planning phase, it offers a dynamic forum for negotiating approaches to challenges in victim-survivor interviews

Conversation · Conversation analysis · Directive · Focus group · Interpreter · Interview · Negotiation · Officer · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Child Abuse and Trauma · Communication · Computer Science · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Law · Military, Security, and Education Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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