Creating space for interpreting within extended turns at talk

Abstract

In consecutively interpreted conversations, long multi-unit turns pose an interactional problem, as the interpreter may need to intervene into the turn space of the current speaker to interpret. This paper explores multimodal practices employed by medical professionals and interpreters to manage the temporary suspension of extended turns-in-progress. Using data from video-interpreted hospital encounters, we show how video-mediation poses challenges to the fine-tuned coordination involved in creating temporary suspension. We identify one practice used by medical professionals by which they produce turns in several chunks, or ‘installments’, temporarily suspending the ongoing turn and allowing the interpreter to begin interpreting. When a medical professional does not suspend their longer turns, the interpreter more actively signals the medical professionals, for instance through use of pre-beginning signals, to suspend the progressivity of their turn and yield for interpreting. We explore at what place during medical professionals' ongoing multi-unit turns interpreting is made relevant, how this is done and by whom.