Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak on the Performance of Sign Language Interpreters

Abstract

In general, stress affects the efficiency of workers’ performance. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic outbreak, sign language interpreters experience increased stress due to various factors. This study aims to determine the stressors faced by sign language interpreters during the pandemic. To achieve this goal, we prepared a questionnaire consisting of 15 paragraphs covering psychological, health, cognitive, linguistic and environmental aspects. Then, we surveyed 57 sign language interpreters in the Arab region. In the analysis, we calculated the average performance levels in addition to the differences between participants’ average scores. We also divided the stress levels into three categories: simple, moderate and severe. Results indicated that the stress was medium on average and no statistically significant differences in the performance average in accordance with the study variables (gender, experience and workplace).

“I feel a bit more of a conduit now”: Sign language interpreters coping and adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

“…Although a few inquiries have examined the pandemic's impact on the interpreting profession and how interpreters adapt to new working practices (Crezee & Major, 2020;Napier, 2020), this domain remains relatively underexplored. Most studies in this area have focused on the measurement of stress levels among interpreters, primarily through the use of questionnaires (Ellala et al, 2021;Pollard et al, 2021;Schnack, 2020), and the occupational health of interpreters who worked remotely from home during the pandemic (Roman et al, 2022(Roman et al, , 2023.…”

Experiences of Sign Language Interpreters and Perspectives of Interpreting Administrators During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Description

“…Sign language interpreters were essential, working on the frontlines as medical interpreters, disseminating information at emergency press briefings, and interpreting remotely from home. 1-6 This high demand garnered more attention to the known occupational hazards of role strain, burnout, and vicarious trauma among interpreters. 7-9 Interpreting during the pandemic caused interpreters to experience greater-than-normal stress and adverse mental health.…”

“…7-9 Interpreting during the pandemic caused interpreters to experience greater-than-normal stress and adverse mental health. 3,10 For educational, health and media, and governmental interpreters, the constant flux of measures to quell the spread of COVID-19, as well as the need to communicate the nature and progression of disease and interpret for local press briefings, contributed to stress. 3 In several studies describing the work of interpreters during the pandemic, among interpreters working remotely from home, 10% to 24% expressed some degree of stress, 17% to 30% had some degree of anxiety, 23% experienced some depression, and 13% reported seeking some form of mental health support because of changing professional demands.…”

“…3,10 For educational, health and media, and governmental interpreters, the constant flux of measures to quell the spread of COVID-19, as well as the need to communicate the nature and progression of disease and interpret for local press briefings, contributed to stress. 3 In several studies describing the work of interpreters during the pandemic, among interpreters working remotely from home, 10% to 24% expressed some degree of stress, 17% to 30% had some degree of anxiety, 23% experienced some depression, and 13% reported seeking some form of mental health support because of changing professional demands. 4,10,11 Little qualitative research has investigated how consequences experienced during the pandemic affected the health and well-being of interpreters and their longevity in the field.…”