Use of CAI tools in interpreters’ training: A pilot study

The University of Bologna/Forlì offers students of the MA in Interpreting a course in Methods and Technologies for Interpreting. A recent addition to the software presented to students is InterpretBank, a CAI tool designed to assist interpreters during the entire workflow of an interpreting assignment. We conducted a pilot study to collect information on the students’ use of CAI tools to look up terminology in the booth. The aim was to verify how such tools can be integrated in the curriculum by identifying potential issues and suggesting solutions. We ran an experiment with 12 MA interpreting students to observe their behaviour during the simultaneous interpreting of terminology-dense texts. Experience seems to play a key role in helping students integrate the tool in their workflow in the booth. Some students, however, tend to excessively rely on the software program, while others see it as a source of distraction and find it hard to focus on the delivery. There is reason to believe the tool will prove a useful addition to the curriculum of trainee interpreters, yet more empirical studies are needed to test and possibly improve the way it can be integrated with current interpreter training approaches.