Chapter 8. Eye-tracking in interpreter-mediated talk
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Jelena Vranjes
Abstract
A starting point for a multimodal analysis of interpreter-mediated interaction is the discussion on the pros and cons of new technologies especially for new forms of distant, remote or offsite interpreting. More specifically, in this contribution is argued that empirical multimodal analyses of participants’ and interpreters’ behavior in real-life interpreting settings may provide much-needed groundwork that helps to fuel this discussion. As one of the most central points of criticism raised by interpreting practitioners is that distant forms of interpreting lack certain characteristics that are typical for on-site or face-to-face interpreting (i.e. distant solutions are not true-to-life, Van Rotterdam & van den Hoogen 2011). It becomes increasingly important to pinpoint what these typical and natural characteristics are. Empirically grounded insights into these characteristics may then, in a research-technology-application loop, feed into innovative technologies, rendering novel interpreting solutions that are more true-to-life.
In this empirical analysis we focus on one specific phenomenon that has received increased attention in the recent literature in multimodal interaction analysis as well as interpreting studies, viz. eye gaze as a semiotic resource employed by speakers as well as hearers. The main questions here are how interpreters typically manage the turn-taking process in real-life interaction, among others by means of gaze, and how important visual access is to the co-participants for a smooth exchange. In order to answer the research questions, the researchers make use of eye-tracking technology to gain detailed information on interpreters’ and primary participants’ gaze behavior.
Abstract
A starting point for a multimodal analysis of interpreter-mediated interaction is the discussion on the pros and cons of new technologies especially for new forms of distant, remote or offsite interpreting. More specifically, in this contribution is argued that empirical multimodal analyses of participants’ and interpreters’ behavior in real-life interpreting settings may provide much-needed groundwork that helps to fuel this discussion. As one of the most central points of criticism raised by interpreting practitioners is that distant forms of interpreting lack certain characteristics that are typical for on-site or face-to-face interpreting (i.e. distant solutions are not true-to-life, Van Rotterdam & van den Hoogen 2011). It becomes increasingly important to pinpoint what these typical and natural characteristics are. Empirically grounded insights into these characteristics may then, in a research-technology-application loop, feed into innovative technologies, rendering novel interpreting solutions that are more true-to-life.
In this empirical analysis we focus on one specific phenomenon that has received increased attention in the recent literature in multimodal interaction analysis as well as interpreting studies, viz. eye gaze as a semiotic resource employed by speakers as well as hearers. The main questions here are how interpreters typically manage the turn-taking process in real-life interaction, among others by means of gaze, and how important visual access is to the co-participants for a smooth exchange. In order to answer the research questions, the researchers make use of eye-tracking technology to gain detailed information on interpreters’ and primary participants’ gaze behavior.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. “Going video” 13
- Chapter 2. “You are just a disembodied voice really” 47
- Chapter 3. Remote interpreting in dialogic settings 79
- Chapter 4. Role-space in VRS and VRI 107
- Chapter 5. The importance of video recordings in signed language interpreting research 127
- Chapter 6. Gesture functions and gestural style in simultaneous interpreting 151
- Chapter 7. Going video : Understanding interpreter-mediated clinical communication through the video lens 181
- Chapter 8. Eye-tracking in interpreter-mediated talk 203
- Index 235
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. “Going video” 13
- Chapter 2. “You are just a disembodied voice really” 47
- Chapter 3. Remote interpreting in dialogic settings 79
- Chapter 4. Role-space in VRS and VRI 107
- Chapter 5. The importance of video recordings in signed language interpreting research 127
- Chapter 6. Gesture functions and gestural style in simultaneous interpreting 151
- Chapter 7. Going video : Understanding interpreter-mediated clinical communication through the video lens 181
- Chapter 8. Eye-tracking in interpreter-mediated talk 203
- Index 235
