Triggers in Comparison: Analyzing Explicitation Across Levels of Interpreters’ Experience in Consecutive Interpreting

The current study intended to explore the use of explicitation in consecutive interpreting, recognizing its significance as a strategic approach, particularly given the time constraints inherent in the interpreting process. Hence, the researchers carried out a mixed-methods experiment that comprised 9 trainee interpreters and 5 experienced interpreters who engaged in English-Persian consecutive interpreting (CI). The study used both product analysis, which involved comparing the source and target texts, and process analysis, which included retrospective interviews and notes, to examine explicitation behavior. The product study primarily tried to find instances of explicitation employed by both groups, whereas the process analysis sought to reveal the underlying reasons for its utilization. The results did not show a significant difference in the reasons for explicitation between trainee and experienced interpreters. Nevertheless, a noteworthy distinction was observed in the manner in which the two groups treated this particular issue. The findings indicated that experienced interpreters are often motivated by the need for clarification. This suggests that experienced interpreters place a high importance on guaranteeing that the interpreted message is clear and easily understood by the audience. They may employ explicitation as a means to communicate the intended message with greater effectiveness. However, trainee interpreters used explicitations as a means to make up for their own poor proficiency, by filling in any gaps that may occur because of their inadequate abilities. The results of this study could be instrumental for interpreter training programs, as they provide empirical evidence on the different reasons behind explicitation strategies between trainee and experienced interpreters.