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This site is a collection of materials related to the role-space model of interpreted interactions. The role-space model was developed by Peter Llewellyn-Jones and Robert G. Lee, both of whom are experienced interpreters and interpreter educators.  Peter and Robert have leveraged their over 85 years of combined experienced of interpreting practice in domain-specific settings (e.g., legal, medical, performing arts) as well as working internationally as interpreters, teachers of interpreting, researchers, and,  perhaps more importantly, as participants and consumers in interpreted interactions. 

Our goal was to develop a model (initially for teaching aspiring interpreters) that provided specific, inter-related domains of decision-making (to foster reflection on the impact of potential decisions) to give interpreters agency (in tandem with the primary participants if and when possible) to enact the optimal role-space specific interactions. Building on research from conversational analysis, sociolinguistics, and interpreting studies, we claim that roles are what one does, not something one has.  Roles are enactments of (ascribed or achieved) statuses and thus are not entities one can step into or out of. A foundational concept of role-space, as mentioned on the home page is that:

“Role refers to behavior rather than position, so that one may enact a role but cannot occupy a role.”

Turner, R. H. (1956) ‘Role-taking, role standpoint, and reference-group behavior’. American Journal of Sociology, 61, 316-328.

Thus, interpreters cannot ever say (with the implication that their subsequent actions are free of ethical/professioal consequences) that they are 'stepping out of role', as interpreters are always enacting the role of interpreter. Of course an interpreter can behave in ways that are violations of the relevant Codes of Ethics/Practice/Conduct (or, more egregiously, behave in ways that are illegal and/or immoral), but they are still enacting the role of interpreter, thus must abide the relevant Code. If claiming/declaring that one is 'stepping of role' were like a Monopoly™, 'Get Out of Jail Free card' or akin to the concept of 'Immunity' on the TV show Survivor, or 'touching base' to be safe in a child's game of Tag,  then any and all behaviors that are (potential) violations of Codes could be easily nullified by the mere claim, "I AM STEPPING OUT OF ROLE." 

Space: "Roles are what we DO, they are not entities that we HAVE"

Role-space posits three inter-related axes of decision-making: Interaction Management, Participant Alignment, and Presentation of Self.  See figure below (credit to Doug Bowen-Bailey for the graphic).