Modeling listeners’ perceptions of quality in consecutive interpreting: a case study of a technology interpreting event

Abstract

Understanding listeners’ perceptions of consecutive interpreting (CI) quality is crucial for the interpreting profession and service management. However, research in this area is still in its early stages, lacking in-depth exploration of how listeners’ subjective factors impact their perceived CI quality and the extent of these interactions. This study introduced a research model based on existing literature, incorporating six key listener variables: listeners’ quality expectations, perceived characteristics of the interpreter, experiences with CI, domain knowledge, perceived dependence on CI, and perceived communicative effect. A case-based survey was conducted during a simulated interpreter-mediated technical conference. We surveyed 107 conference attendees before and after the technical event, testing 11 proposed hypotheses using their self-reported data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that (1) domain knowledge has a negative impact on listeners’ perceived CI quality, while the remaining five listener variables positively influence their CI quality perceptions. Quality expectations emerge as the most influential predictor, followed by perceived characteristics of the interpreter and perceived communicative effect. (2) Listeners’ perceived characteristics of the interpreter and perceived communicative effect are positively predicted by their quality expectations, which highlights the fundamental role of quality expectations. (3) Domain knowledge and experiences with CI are confirmed as significant factors influencing quality expectations, while perceived characteristics of the interpreter significantly drive perceived communicative effect. Overall, the findings reveal the complex interplay of these subjective factors and illustrate how they collectively shape listeners’ perceptions of CI quality. Theoretical and practical implications for professional interpreting practice and interpreter training are also discussed.