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Title
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How Can I Interpret When No One is Watching?
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Creator
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Catherine Maier
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies
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Project Type
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Thesis
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Date
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6/15/2025
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Abstract
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Research has shown that interpreters and interlocutors engage in collaborative efforts to coconstruct meaning in authentic and real-time interpreting scenarios. However, there is often an absence of a consumer during interpreted monologues from English to American Sign Language (ASL). This study employed a mixed-methods approach to analyze the behaviours and perceptions of ASL–English interpreters who interpreted samples first without and then with the presence of a recorded consumer. The results indicated increased eye-gaze fixation among interpreters during the second video presentation. While interpreters did not attempt direct eye contact with the consumer, their eye movements lingered longer in proximity to the consumer stimulus video than in the first video without a consumer. In subsequent interviews, interpreters said they preferred the presence of a consumer, as they relied on positive or negative backchanneling to inform their decision-making processes. Furthermore, experienced interpreters noted heightened motivation and deeper processing of the source material in the presence of a consumer. While additional research is warranted, it is recommended that any assessments of interpreters include the presence of a recorded consumer to foster a more authentic experience, thereby enhancing performance during evaluations.
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Keywords
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Authentic assessment
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pre-recorded consumer
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backchanneling
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Committee Member
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Amanda Smith
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Elisa Maroney
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Marty Taylor
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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Text
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Identifier
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CatherineMaier_Thesis_2025
