Dr Frederique Guery

I am a Year 2 and Year 4 general and professional language Tutor here at MMU. I’m also an Erasmus programme Tutor, the Level 5 Year Tutor, a Personal Tutor and Ethics Committee Member. I am responsible for teaching general and professional skills in French language to a large cohort of students who come from across the globe and are enrolled in a variety of programmes. My specialist background is in interpreting and translating.

My sociological research focuses on how Public Service Interpreters deal with the demand for their invisibility, neutrality and impartiality in the workplace. In England, their role is to linguistically assist public service users with limited proficiency in English in accessing a whole range of health, legal and social welfare services. Practitioners are officially required to melt into the background as they mediate these social interactions, whilst often working in emotionally charged situations and dealing with ethical emergencies in ways that may clash with their personal values. I am particularly interested in exploring the enactment of this paradox in practice, following concerns that this new profession has taken on a dehumanizing aspect.

Languages and cultures are obviously my passions but I also have a keen interest in reading, music and travelling.

Words of wisdom

Be inquisitive. Speaking French will open new horizons for you and benefit both your personal and professional lives. You will be encouraged to immerse yourselves in the French language and culture by taking advantage of the various learning supports that are at your disposal, in addition to the teaching material: books, films, TV, radio, the Internet, etc. Learning a language can be fun. Do not miss out on the opportunity to socialise with our Erasmus students visiting from France, to study or work in a French-speaking country.

Academic and professional qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Society, ‘Learning to be a Public Service Interpreter: boundaries, ethics and emotion in a marginal profession’, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Master of Research in Education and Society, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Legal Option), The Chartered Institute of Linguists.

Postgraduate Diploma in Translating and Interpreting, The University of Bradford.

BA. Hons in Modern Languages, French and Spanish, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Languages

French

External examiner roles

French UWLP, The University of Salford

MAs in Interpreting and Translation, The University of Essex 

Government and industry links

I won the Outstanding Feedback prize at Manchester Met’s Student Union Awards in June 2015.

Membership of professional associations

Chartered Institute of Linguists

International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies

Critical Link, International Council for the Development of Community Interpreting