- 學位論文
口譯在教會中的角色: 以美國華人移民教會口譯為例
The Role of Interpreting in a Church Setting: Case Study of Ethnic Chinese Immigrant Churches in the USA
摘要
本研究的主題是口譯員在美國「華人移民教會」中所扮演的角色。文中的「華人移民」所指的是從中國、台灣、香港及澳門等地遷移至美國的華人族群；「華人移民教會」是在上述等地之外由華人移民基督徒所建立的教會組織。 本文作者猜想，口譯在華人移民教會的功能可能是縮減移民教會中的第一代華人移民與第二代在美國出生的華裔之間「文化差距」“acculturation gap”（ Birman & Poff, 2011）的橋樑。除此之外，華人移民教會口譯員的其他角色尚未被深入探究。本研究探討的問題是：（一）口譯員在美國華人移民教會中所扮演的角色、（二）口譯本身在美國華人移民教會中所扮演的角色。 為了理解美國華人移民教會的成員如何解讀口譯員在教會中的角色，本研究透過網路問卷的方式，蒐集來自教會中三類人群的意見，其包括教會口譯的聽眾、教會口譯的委託者（如：教會領導人、牧師、宣導師、講道人）以及教會口譯員。網路問卷設計的主要方式為對比評價。受試者根據自身對專業口譯員（在非教會環境中的專業口譯員）與教會口譯員的角色認知，表達他們對問卷中各個調查項目的贊同度。本文作者試圖透過該方式歸納出華人移民教會口譯員與專業口譯員的角色差異。本文作者亦透過與教會的牧師、口譯員以及口譯聽眾的訪談，試圖理解華人移民教會口譯員所扮演的角色以及口譯本身在華人移民教會中的功能。 問卷調查的結果顯示，受試者對於教會口譯的觀點與評價，與以往的相關研究的結果一致：（一）所有的實驗對象普遍認為美國華人移民教會的口譯員必定是基督徒，並且認為口譯員是以充滿「利他精神」的態度服務教會。（二）實驗對象相信教會中所有的服務提供者（包括口譯員）是藉由神的「恩賜」（也就是神所給聖徒的能力）才得以完成他們的主要任務，以「造就」（edify）並加強教會成員的信仰。（三）除了作為溝通的橋樑之外，實驗對象認為口譯員在華人移民教會中的主要角色為「共同表演者」、「共同溝通者」、「義工」以及「基督教的提倡者」。除此之外，本文作者從訪談中分析並總結得出：受訪者認為教會口譯有助於讓更多非華人族群融入華人移民教會。因此，華人移民教會口譯員不僅是打破語言隔閡的橋樑，更是促進華人移民教會與外界互動的媒介。
並列摘要
This research aims to investigate the role of the interpreter within the setting of ethnic Chinese immigrant churches in the USA. In this study, “ethnic Chinese immigrant church” refers to Christian church communities situated outside of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and founded by immigrants from Chinese-speaking countries and areas. Interpreting most likely appeared in the immigrant church setting as a way to address the widening “acculturation gap” (Birman & Poff, 2011) between the Chinese-speaking first generation (i.e. immigrant members) and the English-speaking second generation (i.e. teenage and adult children of first generation members). Though there is currently scant research on the role interpreters and interpreting itself plays in this distinct interpreting setting. Thus, this study aims to answer the following questions: (1) what is the role of the interpreter in ethnic Chinese immigrant churches in the USA; and (2) what is the role of interpreting itself in this setting? To address the first question, the researcher administered online questionnaires to church interpreters, users of interpreting (e.g. audience members), and commissioners of church interpreting (e.g. church leaders, pastors, speakers). Survey items juxtapose role perceptions and expectations of professional interpreters that work in non-church settings (e.g. hospitals, conferences, courtrooms) with that of interpreters in the church setting in an attempt to isolate distinct expectations and perceptions ascribed to the role of the church interpreter. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with interpreters and pastors from ethnic Chinese immigrant churches in the USA to get a better understanding of the role of interpreting itself in this setting. Questionnaire results validate previous research on church interpreting and show that immigrant church interpreters are expected to be believing Christians who perform their role out of altruistic love for God and their fellow Christians; they are also believed to be spiritually empowered and enabled by God to reach their goal of edifying the congregation. Roles such as co-performer, co-communicator, servant, volunteer and advocate for Christianity were found to be the most prominent role descriptors for immigrant church interpreters. Data collected from semi-structured interviews with pastors, interpreters and users of church interpreting added an additional dimension to the role of the immigrant church interpreter. They are a bridge between not only differing speech communities within the church but also with potential members from outside the immigrant ethnic community.