The impact of emotional and psychological factors on public service interpreters: Preliminary studies

Carmen Valero Garces

doi:10.12807/ti.107203.2015.a07

Abstract

The impact of psychological and emotional factors on public service interpreters is widely accepted by those working in the field, yet studies on the matter remain sparse. Drawing on research conducted in the early 21st century, this paper presents various preliminary studies (Master theses) by students of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication, Public Service Interpreting and Translation at the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain). The main objective of the current review is to determine whether conclusions from previous research are reproducible in new contexts (in particular, the context explored is Spain in the second decade of the 21st century). The subject matter of the studies includes challenges facing non-professional interpreters in different settings; the influence of emotional and psychological factors on conference interpreters, public service interpreters and public service interpreting (PSI) students; interpreting in mental health; and burnout syndrome in PSI. Data for the research has been drawn from interviews and questionnaires. A review of past research on PSI illustrates that interpreters in public services perform their task in challenging settings that are fraught with delicate content, that they are exposed to significant psychological and emotional stress, are expected to perform numerous occupational tasks, and finally, that they are subjected to ever-changing physical, psychological and environmental conditions. The subsequent review of more recent research lends further credibility to past findings and furthermore highlights the need for training in coping with the situations and tensions that have been demonstrated to affect the PSI interpreter’s work.

Highlights

A short review of past research on the influence of emotional and psychological factors in PSIStudies conducted at the close of the 20th and early 21st century have found that interpreters who work in public service interpreting (PSI) – known as community interpreting (CI) – frequently face circumstances that may be detrimental to their emotional and psychological well-being
More than a decade after the publication of the studies reviewed above, a number of preliminary studies were conducted in Spain by postgraduate students of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication, Public Service Interpreting and Translation (MICIT),1 with the intention of determining whether any changes have taken place in the impact of emotional and psychological factors on PSI interpreters
The review of prior research on public service interpreting provides evidence that interpreters perform their task in challenging settings that are fraught with delicate content, that they work under substantial psychological and emotional stress, are expected to perform numerous occupational tasks, and that they are subjected to ever-changing physical, psychological and environmental factors

Summary

Introduction

A short review of past research on the influence of emotional and psychological factors in PSI. Studies conducted at the close of the 20th and early 21st century have found that interpreters who work in public service interpreting (PSI) – known as community interpreting (CI) – frequently face circumstances that may be detrimental to their emotional and psychological well-being. More than a decade after the publication of the studies reviewed above, a number of preliminary studies were conducted in Spain by postgraduate students of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication, Public Service Interpreting and Translation (MICIT), with the intention of determining whether any changes have taken place in the impact of emotional and psychological factors on PSI interpreters. This preliminary research helps to shed light on the possible impact that emotional strain might have on interpreter performance and may imply the need for further research

Challenges facing non-professional interpreters in PSI

Findings

Conclusion