Interpreting English Across Cultures: Mediating Meaning in Shōgun Through a Thai Lens
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Abstract
This study explores the nuanced role of interpreters in the 2024 FX adaptation of Shōgun, focusing on how they mediate across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Using a combined approach of Thematic Analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, and drawing on dual perspectives as academics and professional interpreters, we examine how interpreters in the series shape dialogue and influence political, religious, and social interactions. Far from being neutral conduits, the interpreters reframe, omit, and adapt messages to reflect personal, cultural, and strategic considerations. Through a Thai–English interpretive lens of intercultural communication and inductive approaches, the study draws parallels between the series and real-world practices, particularly in high-context societies like Thailand and Japan. It argues that interpreters often act as political agents, religious mediators, and cultural gatekeepers, making decisions that maintain harmony, protect status, and guide intercultural understanding. This fictional portrayal offers valuable insights into the real-life complexities of language mediation, underscoring the significance of interpreters in shaping intercultural encounters.
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References
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