Gestural style of the interpreter impacts performance appraisal in public service settings

Abstract

Public service interpreting can involve high-stakes situations in which multimodal information is key. Interpreters often mimic speakers’ gestures, which is paradoxically associated both with lack of professionalism and with fostering social harmony. This study investigates whether an interpreter’s gestural style affects users’ perceptions of professionalism, trustworthiness, and skill. Fifty-seven experiment participants watched two twelve-minute videos of a simulated English–Turkish parent–teacher conference. In one video, the interpreter used extensive gestures; in the other, she kept her hands still. The raters responded to a twelve-item questionnaire on professionalism, trustworthiness, fluency, experience, and likability. Statistical inference reveals that interpreters who used spontaneous gestures and gesturally aligned with speakers received significantly more positive ratings. These results suggest that visual input, such as an interpreter’s gestural style, plays a crucial role in third-party experiences of interpreter performance.