Technology in Interpretation

               Results:  Interpreter's Survey- Question #1

Question #1: How do interpreters currently use computers at your site?

            The first question asked participants to rate their use of computers based on how much time interpreters spent doing specific tasks.  The question included a list of tasks that ranged from e-mailing to creating brochures to using digital cameras.  Participants rated each task using a 5-point ranking continuum.  A rating of 1 meant that very little time was spent on the task, while a 5 indicated that a great deal of time was devoted to task.  For each task, the average of all responses was calculated.  The results of this question are included in Figure 16.

            What do these results indicate about the use of computer technology by interpreters?  Confirming previous assumptions, e-mail and word processing are the most common uses of computers, both scoring about 4.5 on the ranking continuum.  With few exceptions, an e-mail survey sent to a professional in nearly any field would likely result in the same uses.  Following closely in third place, however, are tasks more unique to the interpretation profession.  “Creating brochures, posters, newsletters, and other publications” had a score of almost 4 on the ranking scale, indicating that a relatively large amount of time was spent on these activities.  Both page layout and graphic editing skills are essential components of designing publications.

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