Sight Translation Under Time Pressure: A Preliminary Study on Effects of Text Presentation Rate on Student Interpreters’ Performance

Research on cognitive processing and performance optimization under time pressure in sight translation (ST) remains limited, despite ST’s growing significance in professional interpreting practice. Traditional ST studies using static texts fail to reflect the real-world challenges interpreters face. This study introduces a novel approach to ST research by examining the effects of dynamic text presentation rates on interpreting performance. The primary aim was to investigate how controlled time pressure affects interpreter cognition and performance quality through accuracy and fluency measures. Using Microsoft PowerPoint for text presentation and BB Flashback Pro for screen and audio recording, 18 master’s students performed English-to-Chinese ST tasks at three different presentation rates (90, 120, and 150 words per minute). Performance was evaluated through standardized assessment rubrics (0–100%) for accuracy and acoustic measurements for fluency patterns. Analysis of accuracy and fluency measures revealed two significant theoretical contributions: (1) increased presentation rates enhanced performance by triggering more efficient cognitive processing and adaptive coping tactics, challenging conventional assumptions about time pressure effects; and (2) controlled time constraints improved information selection and processing efficiency. These findings advance our understanding of interpreter cognition and coping behaviors under time pressure and provide empirical support for incorporating dynamic text presentation in interpreter training programs. The study’s implications extend beyond pedagogy to professional practice, offering insights into optimizing interpreter performance under real-world time constraints.