Understanding and Redefining Different Capacities Required of Professional Interpreters in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

Palestinian interpreters are facing big challenges as they are dealing with two languages that are different not only linguistically but also culturally. Things are exacerbated by the fact that the present situation in the Gaza Strip shows that practicing interpreters are lacking the theoretical and practical experiences as well as the interpreting skils. The lack of proper training coupled with a severe shortage in training facilities and equipment and the absence of translation and interpreting specializations in Palestinian universities have led to erroneous translations and interpretations provided by unqualified interpreters.This paper investigates the current interpreting situation in the Gaza Strip and redefines the skills and capacities required by professional interpreters in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Specifically, the present study seeks to provide answers to the following three questions provided by thirty professional interpreters, making the population of the present study. 1. What skills and capacities should a Palestinian professional interpreter have? 2. What other additional skills an interpreter should have at their disposal? 3. What are the main challenges facing Palestinian interpreters?