Resumen de Investigating the use of technology in the interpreting profession: A comparison of the Global South and Global North
Over the course of the past decades of human history, technology has reshaped our personal lives as well as our professions. However, technological developments in interpreting have been gradual, more especially when compared to the pace of technological developments in translation. In addition, some interpreters hold a negative perception when it comes to the incorporation of technology in their workflow.This chapter presents research conducted as part of a PhD thesis which investigated the extent of use of technology in the interpreting profession on a global scale as well as an examination on the perceptions of interpreters regarding the use and implementation of technology in the interpreters’ workflow. A comparative multiple case study research design was used to address these research aims. The cases were divided according to geographical regions, namely the Global North and Global South. Data collected by means of a survey provided a reflection on the true state of use of interpreting technology utilised by interpreters in their profession. In the analysis of the data the similarities and differences between the two cases are highlighted and discussed. The key findings from the analysis of the data indicates interpreters are no longer hesitant to the use of technology in their workflow but remain concerned with the issue of divided attention when using technology during interpreting.
