Interactional Dynamics in Remote Interpreting

This collection introduces an innovative micro-analytical approach to interaction management in remote interpreting, offering new insights into our understanding of the conversational dynamics of remote dialogue interpreting.

The book calls attention to the need for greater reflection on the impact of the increased use of remote interpreting via telephone and video link, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the already complex interactional dynamics of communication in dialogue interpreting settings. Featuring perspectives from both established and emerging scholars, the volume explores both the signals and mechanisms of interaction management and the effects of context in such settings. Chapters draw on empirical studies based on experimental and authentic data from video recordings and eye-tracking data to examine the impact on smoothness and synchronization of the interaction in remote interpreting, in light of the absence of multimodal resources such as gaze and gesture. In collecting this research in a single volume, the book paves the way for further research on the changing relationships between interaction management, technology, and multimodality in dialogue interpreting contexts in today’s increasingly technology-mediated world.

This volume will be of interest to students and scholars in interpreting studies, language and communication, and pragmatics.

Esther de Boe is a post-doctoral research fellow and interpreter trainer at the University of Antwerp. She holds a PhD in translation studies and an MA in conference interpreting, translation and liberal arts. She is a board member of the European Network for Public Service Interpreting and Translation and regularly takes part in scientific committees of conferences and a reviewer of scientific journals.

Jelena Vranjes is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication at Ghent University. She obtained her PhD with an eye-tracking study on the role of gaze in dialogue interpreting. She is a frequent reviewer and her work has been published in book chapters and international journals, including Interpreting, Target, Language and Dialogue, and the Journal of Pragmatics.

Heidi Salaets is Associate Professor at KU Leuven, Antwerp Campus where she trains interpreting students and is Head of the Interpreting Studies Research Group. She has published extensively on legal interpreting, healthcare interpreting and new technologies in interpreting and on participatory action research.