The influence of speech rate and information density on the cognitive dynamics of a simultaneous interpreter

The article examines the joint influence of speech rate and information density on the cognitive dynamics of simultaneous interpreters. The focus is on the interaction of these two parameters in the source message, which create qualitatively different types of cognitive load. The study aims to analyze how various combinations of pace and semantic richness in discourse affect translation delay, attention distribution, and the choice of adaptive strategies (compression, omission, generalization) under limited cognitive resources. Scenarios of "fast pace - low density" and "slow pace - high density," which simultaneous interpreters encounter during work, are considered. The research is conducted within an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theoretical positions from cognitive translation studies, psycholinguistics, and simultaneous interpreting theory. The methodological foundation consists of analyzing existing models of information processing, particularly D. Gile's Efforts Model, as well as synthesizing data presented in contemporary studies dedicated to stress factors in simultaneous interpreting. A conceptual modeling method is used to differentiate the impact of pace and information density on individual components of the cognitive system (analysis, memory, speech production, coordination). The novelty of the research lies in substantiating the inadequacy of the traditional approach that considers a high speech rate as a universal indicator of translation complexity. The work demonstrates that information density is an independent and substantive stress factor that can determine translation success even at a comfortable pace. Key scenarios in cognitive dynamics are identified: the "fast pace - low density" situation primarily burdens speech production, while the "slow pace - high density" scenario requires intensive memory work and analysis. The configuration of high pace and high density is recognized as the most critical, leading to complex overload and cognitive "collapse." It is concluded that the professional mastery of a simultaneous interpreter is defined not so much by the ability to work at a fast pace but by the skill to redistribute attention and dynamically switch information processing strategies, which allows for considering dynamic resilience as the foundation of expert competence.