Expectations vs. experience

Abstract

The attitudes of interpreters providing video remote conference interpreting during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ was analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative and qualitative data pertaining to six deductive categories (general and specific attitudes towards remote interpreting, attitudes towards the work environment and the workspace, psychological and physiological wellbeing) were collected. Online questionnaires were completed both before and after the event and structured interviews were conducted on site during the event. Triangulation of results corroborates the technical feasibility of video remote interpreting, whilst highlighting aspects with a high potential to shape interpreters’ attitudes towards it. The quality of the technical team on site along with the availability of visual input in the entire conference room (including all speakers taking the floor) is key to offsetting the feeling of alienation or lack of immersion experienced by interpreters working with this technical setup. Suggestions for the improvement of key parameters are provided.

Comparing Interface Designs to Improve RSI platforms: Insights from an Experimental Study

“…However, in conference interpreting, the adoption of distance interpreting was limited before the pandemic despite remarkable technological advancements in remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI). The limited adoption was attributed to several factors such as poor audio quality and reluctance among conference interpreters to use new, cloud-based communication technologies [2,6]. Initially, RSI was conducted from traditional booth-based environments, such as interpreting hubs.…”

“…Initially, RSI was conducted from traditional booth-based environments, such as interpreting hubs. These hubs were connected to remote clients and provided interpreters with the conventional conference interpreting equipment, including the interpreter's hardware console [6]. By contrast, the new generation of cloud-based simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms which emerged in the years before the pandemic offered interpreters a virtual console and a work environment that simulated traditional interpreting booths [6].…”

“…These hubs were connected to remote clients and provided interpreters with the conventional conference interpreting equipment, including the interpreter's hardware console [6]. By contrast, the new generation of cloud-based simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms which emerged in the years before the pandemic offered interpreters a virtual console and a work environment that simulated traditional interpreting booths [6]. While the new platforms could still be used from within a traditional interpreting booth, they also had the potential to enhance the flexibility of RSI .…”