The role shift of the interpreter to a cultural mediator : from the perspective of cultural orientations and contexting

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The interpreter-mediated communication is always an instance of intercultural communication. The interpreter therefore should shift to be the cultural mediator rather than the interpreter in the interaction. This article attempts to extend the theoretical focus in interpreting studies to cultural orientations, contexting, thus laying down a theoretical framework to address the 'role shift' of the interpreter, for instance, why an interpreter should act as a cultural mediator, where he should step in, what and how he can fulfill his role as a cultural mediator.