Language mediation is employed as a possible solution for problems of migrants' inclusion in institutional services, within multilingual and multicultural societies. Interpreting Studies has highlighted that language mediation is coordination of social interactions and social construction of narratives. This paper explains language mediation using Luhmann's theory of communication systems, in particular the concepts of self-reference, reflexivity, function, structure, and structural coupling. Language mediation is observed as a self-referential communication system fulfilling the function of promoting participation and new narratives through reflexive coordination. In particular, the concept of structural coupling explains how language mediation can enhance change within other communication systems, promoting dialogue across difference. Language mediation, however, can also assume a hierarchical structure, which creates marginalization and ethnocentrism.

中文翻译：

---

语言中介作为交流系统

在多语言和多文化社会中，语言调解被用作解决移民融入机构服务问题的可能解决方案。口译研究强调，语言中介是社会互动和叙事社会建构的协调。本文使用 Luhmann 的交际系统理论解释语言中介，特别是自指、反身性、功能、结构和结构耦合的概念。语言中介被视为一种自我参照的交流系统，通过反射性协调实现促进参与和新叙事的功能。特别是，结构耦合的概念解释了语言中介如何促进其他交流系统内的变化，促进跨越差异的对话。