From epistemology to theory construction: Towards a comprehensive research framework of interpreting studies

Inauguated in the 1950s, interpreting studies has by now developed itself into a key sub-discipline of Translation Studies. A critical review of its institutional progress reveals at once a vibrant thematic and methodological diversity in its research and a worrisome lack of both an agreed disciplinary identity and a coherent discursive framework. This article addresses itself to the epistemology of interpreting studies by identifying its research objects and defining its distinctive features. On the basis of this exploration, we

propose for interpreting studies a comprehensive research framework built in with multiple perspectives, dimensions and approaches.