Intermodal Simultaneous Interpreting: Code-Blending, Body-Visual Performance and Inverse Directionality

Abstract

Considering the existence of at least two language modalities – an auditory-vocal one and a visual-gestural one – we make a brief presentation of the difference between spoken and signed languages and the effects of modality on sign languages. Later, we reflect on the implications of the visual-gestural modality on the translation and interpreting processes, named as intermodal. Then, we approach the modality effects on the intermodal simultaneous interpreting from spoken language into signed languagebased on(i) the use of code-blending, (ii) the necessary body-visual performance and (iii) the preponderance ofinverse directionality (from L1 into L2/ from A into B). We conclude that the training of intermodal translators and interpreters that transit across two modalities needs to addressbuilt-in issues regarding the visual-gestural modality, as well as its effects on the language and, consequently, on the processes of translation and interpreting.