Cognition and behaviour of reception in museum spaces

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing interest in translation studies within museum settings, enabling museums to enhance visitor engagement and create a more meaningful visiting experience. Within cognitive translation studies, the use of eye tracking technology has emerged as a widely adopted method for investigating translators’ allocation of visual attention and cognitive resources. However, the application of eye tracking in museum translation studies has received limited attention. This study provides a critical review of the utilisation of eye tracking to examine visitors’ perception and reception in museum settings from both behavioural and cognitive perspectives. The article begins by selecting and categorising the reviewed papers. It then describes the methods employed for collecting and analysing eye movement data, followed by summaries and critical comments on the findings from the existing literature. This article further evaluates the reliability, validity, and practicality of existing eye tracking research in museum translation, and finally proposes the potential directions for future cognitive translation studies in museums.