The transient character of oral language obliges interpreting researchers to proceed to a transcription of recorded data for purposes of analysis. While transcription is essential to achieve a fine-grained linguistic analysis, its complexity has received scant attention so far in Interpreting Studies. In Public Service Interpreting for example, researchers mainly and usually opt for a vertical transcription format inherited from Conversation Analysis, regardless of their research objectives. Based on a reflexive transcription practice (Bucholtz 2000), this paper explores the use of a horizontal transcription format for qualitative empirical research in dialogue interpreting. It argues that horizontality, i.e. a format in which parallel columns are assigned to the speakers, first enhances the readability of the transcript. Moreover, it highlights both the dynamics inherent to the triadic interaction in the institutional setting and its interactional patterns through the modelisation of the sequences of turns-at-talk. Hence, it facilitates micro and macro linguistic analysis in an interactionist approach. The scientific assets of this method are demonstrated through the analysis of sequences from an authentic interpreted courtroom interaction.
