Agenda

Language and cultural mediation and translation are two activities related to the field of intercultural communication, but they differ in their objectives, modes of operation, and context of application. Translation focuses primarily on the faithful transfer of content from one language to another, whether in written (translation) or oral (interpreting) form, maintaining the semantic, syntactic and terminological accuracy of the original message; the translator or interpreter, in this case, tends to maintain a neutral position, with a technical and linguistic role, and is often employed in literary, technical, legal or diplomatic contexts. Linguistic and cultural mediation, on the other hand, goes beyond the simple linguistic passage and aims at mutual understanding between interlocutors from different cultures, taking into account the cultural, social, emotional and pragmatic dimensions of communication. The mediator does not simply translate words, but interprets attitudes, gestures, and cultural implicit, adapting the message to foster effective interaction that respects cultural differences. He or she is crucial in contexts such as health care, education, social services, migrant reception, and justice, where communication cannot be separated from an awareness of the interlocutor's cultural context. In addition, the mediator often plays an active role in orienting people within the administrative and institutional systems of the host country, facilitating social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. In summary, while translation is based on fidelity to text and language, language and cultural mediation is based on the ability to build bridges between cultures, adapting communication to the context and needs of the parties involved, and promoting deeper and more authentic understanding between people of different backgrounds.

Speaker:

Prof. Dra. María Fernández de Casadevante, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid

It organizes and introduces
Dra Laura Nadal, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia

Contatto: laura.nadalsanchis@unive.it