CURRENT MOOD

"The interpreter is a receptacle: constantly filling and constantly emptying. An empty signifier. A body that takes in other bodies, temporarily holding them before releasing them via language, thus making them accessible to other people’s awareness, if not understanding.

The role of mediator, receptacle, body-holding body is one that has been historically gendered “female,” and in practice a majority of working interpreters (and translators) are women. Our demand that interpreters be understood as instigators is feminist at its core. These “parrots” talk back; these secretaries write manifestos."

— Antena Language Justice Collaborative, "A Manifesto for Interpretation as Instigation"