Modeling listeners' perceptions of quality in consecutive interpreting: a case study of a technology interpreting event

This study investigates listeners' perceptions of consecutive interpreting (CI) quality, focusing on the impact of listener-specific subjective factors. A research model incorporating six listener variables—quality expectations, perceived interpreter characteristics, CI experience, domain knowledge, perceived dependence on CI, and perceived communicative effect—was tested using a case-based survey at a simulated technical conference. 107 attendees' self-reported data were analyzed via PLS-SEM. Findings reveal that domain knowledge negatively impacts perceived CI quality, while the other five variables positively influence it. Quality expectations were the most influential predictor, followed by perceived interpreter characteristics and perceived communicative effect. The study highlights the complex interplay of these subjective factors in shaping listeners' CI quality perceptions and offers implications for interpreting practice and training.

Wei Guo, Xun Guo, Junkang Huang, Sha Tian