Student interpreters predict meaning while simultaneously interpreting - even before training

Rhona M. Amos*, Kilian G. Seeber, Martin J. Pickering

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Prediction has long been considered advantageous in simultaneous interpreting, as it may allow interpreters to comprehend more rapidly and focus on their own production. However, evidence of prediction in simultaneous interpreting to date is relatively limited. In addition, it is unclear whether training in simultaneous interpreting influences predictive processing during a simultaneous interpreting task. We report on a longitudinal eyetracking study which measured the timing and extent of prediction in students before and after two semesters of training in simultaneous interpreting. The students simultaneously interpreted sentences containing a highly predictable word as they viewed a screen containing four pictures, one of which depicted a highly predictable object. They made predictive eye movements to the highly predictable object both before and after their training in simultaneous interpreting. However, we did not find evidence that training influenced the timing or the magnitude of their prediction.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-238
Number of pages28
JournalInterpreting
Volume25
Issue number2
Early online date27 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • eye-tracking
  • longitudinal study
  • prediction
  • simultaneous interpreting

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