Evaluating the effects of computer-assisted simultaneous interpreting

Evidence from interpreting quality, cognitive load, and visual attention

Bibliographic Data

ID24237495
AuthorsSijia Chen (0000-0001-8294-9284, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies), Jan-Louis Kruger (0000-0002-4817-5390, Macquarie University), Dan Wang (0000-0001-8174-0024, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies), Lihua Zhang (0000-0003-3331-2345, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies), Fang Qian (0000-0001-9882-2325, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies)
Year2026
Pages1-22
Publication date2026-10-19
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePerspectives (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0907-676X • E-ISSN: 1747-6623
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0907676x.2026.2734824
OpenAlexW7222922872
LanguageEN
References cited35

This study investigates computer-assisted simultaneous interpreting (CASI), examining how automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine translation (MT) affect interpreting quality and perceived cognitive load, and how interpreters visually attend to these supports. Twelve novice interpreters in China and seven in Australia completed L2–L1 (English –Chinese) and L1–L2 (Chinese –English) tasks of varying technicality in conventional simultaneous interpreting (SI) and CASI modes. Across both cohorts, CASI improved overall quality and source -target correspondence, particularly in more technical tasks, while effects on fluency and cognitive load were mixed. Eye-tracking in the Australian cohort showed greater attention to ASR than MT in L2–L1, but more balanced attention in L1–L2. More frequent switching between ASR and MT was associated with lower L1–L2 quality. Greater ASR attention corresponded to higher fluency in L2–L1 but lower fluency in L1–L2, with the reverse pattern for MT. Greater ASR attention was also related to lower perceived cognitive load in more technical tasks, whereas greater MT attention tended to coincide with a higher load. Overall, the effects of CASI varied with task technicality, interpreting direction, and visual attention patterns.

Chinese-English interpreting · Cognitive Load · English-Chinese interpreting · Eye tracking · interpreting fluency · interpreting quality · Machine translation · novice interpreters · simultaneous interpreting · Speech recognition · Visual attention · Natural Language Processing Techniques · Subtitles and Audiovisual Media · Translation Studies and Practices

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