Zooming in: Interpreters’ perspective towards remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI) ergonomics

Abstract

This paper examines the usability of the Zoom platform from the perspective of professional conference interpreters. In the aftermath of lockdowns and travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI) rushed into the lives of conference interpreters. This gave rise to the development of several Simultaneous Interpreting Delivery Platforms (SIDPs). They have in time become the new offices of practicing interpreters, each requiring a new set of skills and quick adaptation in a short period of time. Zoom, although not an SIDP but rather an online meeting platform, also offers interpretation features and is at the moment the most common platform used also for remote simultaneous interpreting worldwide. In order to assess the usability of the platform by the conference interpreters, the study applied the USE questionnaire developed in 2001 by Lund based on three pillars - Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use – on professional conference interpreters in Turkey. The findings suggest that the Zoom platform has high usability scores. Coupled with this there is also significant appetite among the interpreters towards the improvement of the platform, which could be an indicator of interpreters’ desire to better the existing RSI ergonomics. In conclusion, the paper also points to future areas of required research in relation to ergonomics of remote interpreting.