Directionality in intermodal simultaneous interpreting

Abstract

From a socio-cognitive perspective within Sign Language Translation and Interpreting Studies (SLTIS), this article presents findings from a nationwide questionnaire and a pilot study on intermodal simultaneous interpreting (SI) between Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR) and Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). The questionnaire was completed by 104 hearing Sign Language Translators and Interpreters (SLTIs), collecting profile data and their perceptions of directionality in interpreting. As for our results, 53 participants (50.9%) expressed preference for inverse interpreting, that is, from PT-BR, their L1, into Libras, their L2, while 61 (58.6%) reported greater difficulty in direct interpreting, that is, from Libras, their L2, into Brazilian Portuguese, their L1. As an experimental complement to these data, we recruited a participant with no directional preference to participate in a pilot study, that involved interpreting two fables in both directions: PT-BR → Libras and Libras → PT-BR. Performance was recorded and analysed through video data and retrospective think-aloud protocols, focusing on cognitive effort, modality effects, and interpreting strategies. Drawing on previous research, such as Siple (1993) and Chacon and Schulz (2000), pausing behaviour was examined as an indicator of cognitive effort. Results showed more frequent pauses in L2 → L1 (6.1%) than in L1 → L2 (1.5%), suggesting higher cognitive demand when interpreting from Libras into Brazilian Portuguese. Pauses reflected not only linguistic difficulty, but also source-text monitoring. Strategy use varied by direction, with more omissions in Libras → PT-BR and more paraphrasing in PT-BR → Libras. These findings highlight how the language modality is likely to influence cognitive effort and strategy use in intermodal SI. They also emphasize the value of integrating interpreters’ self-perceptions with experimental data to advance the field of SLTIS.