SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AS SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING

Аннотация

Sign language interpreting (SLI) is increasingly recognized as a form of simultaneous interpreting, sharing many of the cognitive challenges and strategic requirements of spoken language interpreting (SLI). This article explores the theoretical and practical parallels between SLI and simultaneous interpreting, examining the cognitive demands faced by interpreters working in both modalities. It will then delve into specific strategies employed by both spoken and sign language interpreters to manage these cognitive loads, emphasizing the unique linguistic and cultural considerations that differentiate SLI. Finally, the paper will examine the implications for interpreter training and professional development, advocating for a more integrated approach that recognizes the shared skills and competencies required for effective interpreting in both modalities. Keywords: sign language interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, cognitive load, interpreting strategies, interpreter training, spoken language interpreting, sign language, accessibility Introduction. The field of interpreting has traditionally focused primarily on spoken languages, with sign language interpreting (SLI) often considered a separate discipline. However, with growing recognition of sign languages as legitimate and complex linguistic systems, there is an increasing understanding that SLI shares many fundamental characteristics with spoken language interpreting, particularly simultaneous interpreting. Both modalities involve receiving a message in one language (the source language), processing it rapidly, and conveying it into another language (the target language) in real-time. This demands a high level of www.tadqiqotlar.uz 19-to’plam 3-son May 2025 89 Ta'limning zamonaviy transformatsiyasi cognitive skill, linguistic proficiency, and cultural awareness. This article aims to provide a comparative analysis of SLI and simultaneous interpreting, highlighting the cognitive demands and strategic approaches employed in both modalities. It will explore how SLI can be viewed as a form of simultaneous interpreting, while also acknowledging the unique challenges and considerations specific to sign language interpreting. Simultaneous interpreting, whether spoken or signed, places significant demands on the interpreter’s cognitive resources[P.Tuychiyeva, 2024]. These demands can be broadly categorized into the following areas: The interpreter must actively listen (in spoken language interpreting) or watch (in SLI) the source language message, rapidly decoding and understanding its meaning. This involves processing linguistic information, identifying key concepts, and inferring speaker/signer intent. The speed and complexity of the source language input can significantly increase the cognitive load. Interpreters rely heavily on STM and WM to hold information in the source language while processing and formulating the target language equivalent. WM is particularly crucial for managing the temporal delay between receiving the source language input and producing the target language output, known as the ear-voice span (in spoken language interpreting) or the eye-sign span (in SLI). The interpreter must formulate and produce the target language message in a clear, accurate, and fluent manner. This involves selecting appropriate vocabulary, grammatical structures, and idiomatic expressions to convey the meaning of the source language message effectively. In SLI, this also requires skilled use of the visual-gestural modality, including facial expressions, body language, and spatial referencing. Interpreters must constantly coordinate and monitor their comprehension, memory, and production processes to ensure accuracy and coherence [Хасанова, Д, 2024]. This involves paying attention to the flow of the source language message, anticipating upcoming information, and adjusting their target language output accordingly. They must also monitor their own performance, identifying and www.tadqiqotlar.uz 19-to’plam 3-son May 2025 90 Ta'limning zamonaviy transformatsiyasi correcting errors as they occur. While these cognitive demands are shared by both spoken and sign language interpreters, there are some key differences: Modality: Spoken language interpreting relies primarily on the auditory and vocal modalities, while SLI relies on the visual and gestural modalities. This difference in modality impacts the sensory processing demands and the types of information that are readily available to the interpreter. For example, spoken language interpreters may rely on prosody (intonation, rhythm, stress) to identify key information, while sign language interpreters rely on non-manual markers (facial expressions, head movements) for similar cues. Spatial Referencing: Sign languages utilize space to convey grammatical and semantic relationships, such as location, direction, and person reference. This requires interpreters to maintain a mental map of the signing space and accurately re