A Detailed Review of Existing Studies on Psychological Stress, Anxiety, and Cognitive Load in Simultaneous Interpreting

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of existing research on psychological stress, anxiety, and cognitive load in simultaneous interpreting. Simultaneous interpreters often face intense mental demands, requiring them to process, translate, and produce speech in real-time across languages. The review synthesizes key findings from studies examining how stress and anxiety, both psychological and physiological, impact interpreters' cognitive functions, including attention, working memory, and decision-making. It also explores the relationship between cognitive load and interpreter performance, highlighting factors such as language complexity, subject matter familiarity, and working conditions. By analyzing experimental data, self-reported measures, and neurocognitive assessments, the review identifies coping mechanisms and strategies interpreters use to manage stress and cognitive overload. The paper concludes by discussing implications for interpreter training and practice, emphasizing the need for tools and methods that can enhance performance under high-stress conditions. This review aims to inform future research and offer practical insights for improving the well-being and effectiveness of simultaneous interpreters.