The augmented interpreter – a pilot study on the usability of augmented reality in interpreting

Description

Numbers, technical terms and proper nouns are a challenge for simultaneous interpreters. Many conference interpreters therefore rely on a glossary or jot down numbers or proper nouns on a piece of paper. Specific software applications have now made it possible to display translation suggestions for technical terms, numbers and proper nouns used by the speaker on a computer screen. However, this also means that interpreters need to switch their visual attention from the speaker to the computer screen if they are to use the translation suggestions.

In a pilot project, we therefore used AR technology to display translation suggestions directly on a hologram that could be positioned according to the needs of conference interpreters. The study participants were asked to interpret two technical texts – one using the AR headset and another using a glossary in MS Word. Afterwards, the study participants were asked to share their experiences in a post-task interview.

Results

Overall, the conference interpreters using the AR headset made use of more translation suggestions than when using the MS Word glossary. Suggestions related to numbers were used particularly frequently. However, the results also highlighted the practical limitations of the AR technology: many study participants felt that the headset was uncomfortable and found it difficult to position the translation suggestions to suit their needs. The translation suggestions were perceived as an additional input that needed to be processed, thus adding to the cognitive load of an already highly demanding task.

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