Interpretare per i minorenni: difficoltà e sfide percepite da interpreti e operatori

The main aim of this research work is to understand the dynamics, the characteristics and the main difficulties of communication in interpreter-mediated asylum hearings with children in Italy. Part of the research is devoted to an analysis the national and international rules and standards in the field of migration and to an analysis of the literature on interpreting theory, humanitarian interpretation and professional codes of conduct. Given that the communicative strategies used in the asylum hearings are based on the principles of police interviews, this work also discusses the different strategies that legal professionals use to create a dialogue with minors and to receive accurate information from "vulnerable" individuals. This is followed by an analysis of the existing literature on interpreter-mediated communication with minors in the legal context. Numerous studies (Amato e Mack 2017, Keselman 2008, 2010, Salaets e Balogh, 2019) have highlighted that the interpreter takes initiatives during interviews with minors, which poses significant ethical dilemmas. Given that in this context it is common to find persons who act as interpreters and language mediators who have no qualifications or training, the risks that such initiatives may negatively influence the interview are sometimes considerable. Another difficulty related to interpreting in this environment is vicarious trauma, which can be even more marked when working with minors. After reviewing the existing literature on these matters, we analysed the results of the interviews which helped obtain the answers from interpreters who work with minors in migratory settings and of officials and other professionals who communicate with minors through the interpreter. The interviews focused on the role of the interpreter as seen from both categories. Their assessments on selected topics helped to provide a framework of the needs and main difficulties faced by professionals working in this field.