Evaluation of Remote Interpreting in Terms of Stress and Burnout

Abstract

Stress and burnout experienced by interpreters during remote interpreting, which is more adopted after the Covid-19 pandemic in Türkiye, are examined in this study. In the first part of the study, whether the stress and burnout experienced during remote interpreting by the professional conference interpreters in Türkiye differ according to professional qualifications such as years of professional experience, having received training in remote interpreting, specialized language pairs in remote interpreting, specialized fields of interpreters in remote interpreting, and being a member of any professional association are examined. Secondly, the impact of some factors which may affect the level of stress and burnout experienced by interpreters in remote interpreting such as interpreting from a separate environment, the impact of receiving positive feedback, the quality of interpreting, and the income coming from remote interpreting compared to onsite interpreting on interpreters’ preferences for remote interpreting and/or onsite interpreting are examined by taking into consideration the professional conference interpreters in Türkiye. As a result of the analysis, first, it has been found that there is no significant relationship between the stress and burnout experienced by the interpreters in the context of remote interpreting, and their aforementioned professional qualifications. Secondly, it has been found that except the impact of receiving positive feedback factor, there is no significant relationship between the preferences of the interpreters for remote interpreting and/or onsite interpreting and the factors such as interpreting elsewhere, the quality of interpreting, and the income coming from remote interpreting compared to onsite interpreting. Interpreters prefer remote interpreting as much as they are satisfied with the positive feedback received in remote interpreting. Most of the interpreters, willing to adapt to technological developments and considering the many benefits of remote interpreting, think that remote interpreting should be as widespread as onsite interpreting. This study reveals that some improvements should be made in the context of remote interpreting in order to support interpreters’ flexibility and resilience.