PSI: a Herculean Task?
PSI: a Herculean Task?

Summary/Abstract: How demanding is Public Service Interpreting? Based onour personal experience as public service interpreters for a Romanian foundation and a set of 13 online interviews with fellow Romanian PS interpreters, we seek to provide an answer to the question above. The article sets out to give an overview of the extra-challenges that the PS interpreter faces (linguistic, cultural, psychological or ethical) on the Romanian market, which is not currently regulated, often this job being performed by interpreters lacking formal training. The PS interpreter can simultaneously be the voice of the doctor, refugee, tourist, and lawyer, thus conveying their values, beliefs, and traditions. Such a wide spectrum of clients calls for a particularly skilled and resourceful interpreter. Given its controversial position in the conversation, and the complexity of this job from the point of view of the aspects regarding neutrality, mediation or advocacy involved, his/her task does not come without a price, and it has an important effect on the interpreter, at both professional and personal level.

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