The Interpreters' Newsletter n. 30 - 2025

This systematic literature review examines the cognitive processes involved in sight interpreting/translation (SIT). Following the PRISMA approach, we review the findings of 49 publications identified through a comprehensive search strategy. The analysis shows that the comprehension processes involved in SIT appear to differ from those in reading for other purposes. It also highlights that three specific cognitive features may increase the processing demands of the task: resisting visual interference, dealing with memory requirements, and managing coordination between the processes at hand. The review then addresses the effects of training and professional experience. Drawing on these results, we critically discuss three key gaps in our current understanding of cognitive processing in SIT. They relate to the precise nature of the underlying comprehension processes, the cognitive constraints, and the development of competence. On this basis, we propose directions for future research

Community interpreters and transcultural mediators working with survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and sex trafficking are called to work in contexts that require specific knowledge, a gender perspective, and specialised training to deal with complex emotions and accounts of trauma. Despite the importance of these professionals in every service that survivors encounter on their way out of violence, not many systematic studies have been dedicated to this topic, nor does a literature review of relevant research on these issues exist. With the aim of collecting existing studies and identifying research gaps, this paper proposes a scoping literature review of contributions dedicated to interpreting in GBV and sex trafficking contexts, thematically divided and analysed in four subtopics: development and characteristics of the subdiscipline and interpreters’ specific skills; interpreter’s role in relation to neutrality and impartiality vs active involvement; exposure to trauma and risk of vicarious traumatisation; training needs and available training materials for interpreters.

This paper explores the theoretical and conceptual framework of interpreting in a religious context as an already established field of research within Interpreting Studies and seeks to establish common ground for terms and concepts used by researchers of this field in an effort to achieve agreement on terminology. Although the terms and concepts currently in use are based on valid assumptions and approaches, their diversity has thus far hindered the comparison and systematisation of empirical data published in this specific academic field. After proposing interpreting in a religious context as an umbrella term covering the various ramifications of this specific type of interpreting and research, this paper maps the conceptual relationships between context and setting, between interpreting as a general practice and its realisation in a religious context and proposes a definition for interpreting in a religious context. In the second part of the paper, a tentative set of specific features of interpreting in religious contexts is presented taking examples from the Roman Catholic Church as a first step towards further theoretical and empirical research in a broader array of denominations and religions.

Professionals working in healthcare settings are often exposed to emotionally charged situations, which can negatively impact their well-being. However, few studies have focused on interpreters’ emotional strain, particularly in the field of healthcare interpreting. This study aims to examine the type of symptoms associated with vicarious trauma in healthcare interpreters in Spain and the United States, as well as the interpersonal and organizational strategies available to them to mitigate the effects. A questionnaire was distributed amongst 74 healthcare interpreters (42 in Spain and 32 in the US), all of whom had at least one year of experience. The survey included questions about their feelings and symptoms related to the emotional impact and the training they received to manage it. Results show differences in terms of training and access to strategies such as briefing, debriefing and institutional support that appear to be more prevalent in the US. Overall, training on managing emotional impact may act as a protective factor. However, it should be provided in conjunction with adequate interpersonal and organizational strategies. Therefore, structured support resources are recommended, especially in contexts such as the Spanish one, where there is still significant progress to be made towards professionalization.

In interpreter-mediated public service encounters, when primary interlocutors can partially speak each other’s language(s), they may shift into their counterpart’s language, resulting in instances of code-switching. Previous research has shown that such code-switching can affect interpreter-mediated encounters by shaping role negotiation and participant communication. The present study draws on the analysis of two mediated parent-teacher meetings audio recorded in a nursery school in Reggio-Emilia and provides insights into code-switching by Italian teachers when English is used as the language of mediation with migrant parents. The data were analysed using a conversation analytical approach, to establish where within sequences teachers’ code-switching occurs and with what implications. Two patterns were identified: in the first, code-switching is initiated during dyadic sequences between the mediator and the parent, often to tackle specific trouble sources; in the second, code-switching occurs just after the beginning of a sequence and serves to establish direct communication with the migrant parents. The analysis of mediators’ actions during sequences involving teacher code-switching revealed that mediators orient to cooperating with teachers by either adapting their renditions to the teachers’ code-switched utterances or withholding their intervention until the sequence has further developed. These findings highlight how code-switching also influences the interpreter’s role and decision-making within the interaction.