On Interpreters' Intercultural Awareness

Abstract

In this paper, the author briefly states that interpretation as an intercultural communication bridge requires the interpreters not only master exquisite language techniques, but also rich and generous knowledge of different culture backgrounds and the important functions of interpreters with intercultural awareness during intercultural communication. It discuses the basic conceptions of intercultural awareness and  the relationship between interpreters and intercultural awareness, explicates interpreters from different cultures have their own cultural perception, beliefs, values and social customs which greatly determine their communicative way – interpreting way and cultural difference that gives rises to many miscommunications. Therefore, interpreters should raise intercultural awareness of “the other culture” to build bridges across misunderstanding among different cultures and should be satisfied with the basic requirements for interpreters. Finally, several ways of training intercultural awareness are discussed in the paper so that the interpreter could strengthen their sensitivity to cultural differences and misunderstanding can be effectively reduced and intercultural communication can be successfully achieved.