Simultaneous interpreting with accented Mandarin

This study investigates the perception of simultaneous interpreting (SI) quality among accented Mandarin interpreters in Taiwan. Four hundred Taiwanese individuals were recruited online for a controlled experiment, where participants were randomly assigned, in equal numbers, to listen to one of four SI versions. Each version was distinguished solely by accent: Taiwan Mandarin, Chinese Standard Mandarin, Malaysian Mandarin, and US-accented Mandarin. Subsequently, participants were asked to evaluate the SI quality using a nine-item questionnaire, and optional comment sections were available for them to provide written feedback. Ratings were analyzed quantitatively, while comments were subjected to qualitative analysis. Results indicate that SI quality was evaluated less favorably in terms of comprehensibility and performance satisfaction with increasing markedness of accent. The Chinese Standard Mandarin accent was regarded as the suitable stylistic choice because of its “standard” prestige. However, it also faced some criticism, particularly for what certain participants perceived as mispronunciations. Among the non- Taiwanese Mandarin accents, Malaysian Mandarin was perceived as the most favorable for comprehensibility and satisfaction, likely due to its perceived similarities with Taiwan Mandarin. In contrast, American-accented Mandarin received the lowest ratings for comprehensibility. Nevertheless, there was a general sense of support for the US interpreter, possibly suggesting that perceived deficiencies in SI were attributed to factors beyond the interpreter’s control, such as their non-native background, as inferred from their accent. This study reveals that accent significantly influences interpreting quality perceptions, challenging prior beliefs of its minimal impact and underscoring its importance in interpreter training and development. The interpreting market is affected by complex dynamics involving diverse stakeholder biases towards accents, so interpreters face the dual challenge of adapting to a neutral accent to satisfy client expectations while preserving their own accent identity. However, increasing global and local focus on linguistic diversity may enhance accent tolerance and reduce accent-based judgments.

此項研究旨在透過實驗探討臺灣聽眾如何評價不同華語口音的口譯品 質。實驗在線上邀請共四百位臺灣受試者，並將參與者隨機且平均分配至四 個組別，分別聆聽下列其中一個版本的口譯：臺灣華語、中國普通話、馬來 西亞口音華語、美國口音華語。這四個口譯版本僅在口譯員的口音上有差 異。結束後，參與者須填寫一份口譯品質評價問卷，為九項評價標準評分， 也可填寫意見。量化及質化分析顯示，口音愈明顯，口譯品質評價愈低。中 國標準華語口音獲得正面及負面評價，一方面被視為口譯員應當使用的標準 口音，另一方面也有參與者認為其發音應當修正。馬來西亞華語口音在內容 可理解性及整體表現方面所獲得的評分為非臺灣口譯員中最高，可能是因為 該口音與臺灣口音相似。美國華語口音在內容可理解性及整體表現方面所獲 得的評分為非臺灣口譯員中最低，但參與者所填寫的意見給予了該口譯員許 多鼓勵，可能是因為參與者透過該口音認知到口譯員非華語母語人士，並將 該口譯員較差的口譯表現歸因於此。這項研究顯示，口音顯著影響聽眾對口 譯品質的認知。這挑戰了先前認為口音影響微乎其微的看法，並凸顯了口譯 員培訓必須重視口音。口譯市場受到複雜多變的因素影響，其中涉及不同利 害關係者對口音的偏見。因此，口譯員面臨雙重挑戰：一方面需調整自己的 口音以符合客戶的期待，另一方面維持自己的口音以反映自我認同。然而， 隨著各地對語言多樣性日益關注，各方或能接受更多元的口音，減少基於口 音的價值判斷。