The elusive translator - reflections on the methodological and ethical challenges of bilingual research in prison

Researchers engaged in studies of deportation are highly likely to work with participants whose proficiency in the main language of the research/er is limited. At the same time, a growing number of researchers are engage engaging in bi- or multilingual work in their field, using their language skills to reach those whose narratives count most in our areas of study. In those circumstances, bilingualism becomes central to our understanding of researcher positionality, as well as being an important tool of addressing at least some of the power imbalances inherent in research with vulnerable and marginalised groups. Considering this, the chapter firstly reflects on some of the methodological and ethical challenges arising from researcher bilingualism. Secondly, it aims to initiate a discussion about language accessibility as a way of reducing power imbalances in the field.