Power (im)balances in ‘conversation triads’ within qualitative research projects in the field of (forced) migration: chances and challenges in conversations between interpreter, (forced) migrant and researcher

Qualitative research in the field of (forced) migration is confronted with language diversity in conversations. The integration of interpreters within these conversations changes the setting profoundly. While methodological reflections on the relationship between researcher and (forced) migrant have already led to new research methods that are sensitive to the (re)production of power (im)balances, the role of interpreters in this process is still surprisingly underexposed. This article captures qualitative research with interpreters as parts of the ‘conversation triad’ and links this approach to postcolonial theories. Considering processes of Othering we attain a better understanding of the possible roles of each participant within the conversation and how background knowledge comes into play. These methodological reflections enable us to consider the (re-)production of power (im)balances in such a conversation setting. The authors describe the chances and challenges in conversations between interpreter, (forced) migrant and researcher and thus make the involvement of interpreters visible.