The chimera of interpreting humour in simultaneous conference interpreting: improbable, unnecessary or a methodological gap?

Abstract

As interpreting studies advance, research on quality standards, and encountered difficulties to comply with it, abounds. However, one topic has been but fleetingly treated: humour. Translation studies, our next of kin, has been studying the translational problems posed by humour for decades now, and this proves at least two aspects: first, translators are aware they can brush shoulders with humour, and second, research is necessary to (as a minimum) discuss the suitability of the not always coinciding translational options. Is there a reason why we, interpreting teachers, should think this could not be the case for simultaneous conference interpreting? Which are the theoretical approaches, if any, currently existing in our field? Is interpreting humour considered as rare as to be worthless of any theoretical-practical reflection? The present paper supports the hypothesis that if junior students are trained to interpret humour, we might be helping them in designing better management strategies.