The Medium Within the Middle Interpreting the Sacred: Positioning Buddhist Interpreters Through Paratexts

This article argues for the vital yet underrepresented role of paratexts in interpreting
studies, particularly within the sacred landscape of Buddhist discourse. Building upon
Gérard Genette's foundational theories of paratextuality, this study contends that
paratextual elements—interpreters' spatial orientation, attire, gestures, and even
silence—are indispensable to comprehending how religious teachings are effectively
conveyed across linguistic boundaries. Despite the profound need for paratextual
analysis in interpretation, scant research exists on interpreters’ paratexts, especially in
religious settings. Using a Buddhist interpretative scenario, we analyze how a
paratextual approach unveils the subtle ways interpreters frame their role, context, and
audience alignment, adding nuance to the fidelity of their interpretive service.