Abstract

This article explores the narratives of a group of Japanese women who, to escape gender discrimination in regular employment, deploy their linguistic expertise in temporary employment as interpreters. Building on research that highlights women’s investment dynamics into languages as an organising construct for their professional growth, this article argues that a category of Japanese women are increasingly turning to the ‘foreign option’ to mark their presence in the labour market for linguistic services as temporary workers, in a feminised industry where they feel gender equity is secured. Drawing upon in-depth interviews, this article uses the profession of interpreting as a key case for a micro-level ethnographic understanding of a temporary form of skilled linguistic work and women’s aspirations. Adopting a critical approach to linguistic instrumentalism, it contributes to research by examining a small but ambitious segment of the Japanese female labour force, who – by mobilising rare communication skills – constructs an emancipatory turn from gender-stratified corporate structures. The study finds that interpreting, and the ethos of linguistic instrumentalism it carries, promises to informants a work–life balance and career growth. However, findings also show that informants’ engagement with interpreting is not immune from gender stereotypes and occupational segregation, and thus remains a ‘professional chimera’.

摘要

本文探讨了一群日本女性的故事，她们为了逃避正规就业中的性别歧视，在临时就业中发挥自己的语言专长作为口译员。基于强调女性对语言的投资动态作为其职业发展的组织结构的研究，本文认为一类日本女性正越来越多地转向“外国选择”，以将她们在劳动力市场上的语言服务标记为暂时的工人，在女性化的行业中，他们认为性别平等是有保障的。本文利用深度访谈，将口译职业作为一个关键案例，从微观层面的人种学理解临时形式的熟练语言工作和女性的愿望。它采用一种批判语言工具主义的方法，通过检查日本女性劳动力的一小部分但雄心勃勃的部分，为研究做出贡献，她们通过调动罕见的沟通技巧，从性别分层的公司结构中构建了一个解放性的转变。该研究发现，口译以及它所承载的语言工具主义精神，有望为线人提供工作与生活的平衡和职业发展。然而，调查结果还表明，线人对口译的参与并不能免受性别刻板印象和职业隔离的影响，因此仍然是一种“专业幻想”。谁——通过调动罕见的沟通技巧——从性别分层的公司结构中构建了一个解放性的转变。该研究发现，口译以及它所承载的语言工具主义精神，有望为线人提供工作与生活的平衡和职业发展。然而，调查结果还表明，线人对口译的参与并不能免受性别刻板印象和职业隔离的影响，因此仍然是一种“专业幻想”。谁——通过调动罕见的沟通技巧——从性别分层的公司结构中构建了一个解放性的转变。该研究发现，口译以及它所承载的语言工具主义精神，有望为线人提供工作与生活的平衡和职业发展。然而，调查结果还表明，线人对口译的参与并不能免受性别刻板印象和职业隔离的影响，因此仍然是一种“专业幻想”。