The Pitfalls of Metalingual Use in Simultaneous Interpreting

AbstractFor the simultaneous interpreter, puns and other instances of metalingual use, involving as they do an interplay of form, content and pragmatic intention, may represent a formidable challenge. The interpreter’s most efficient tool is his or her adroitness at determining the pun’s or the metalingual comment’s relevance on the basis of an instant analysis of the communication situation, with particular attention to the speaker’s pragmatic intention and intended sense, as well as the audience’s needs and expectations. Actual examples from United Nations meetings are used to illustrate the different factors affecting the rendition of wordplay and metalanguage and some suggestions are made towards improving the training of intelpreters.