The Effects of Lag Time on Interpreter Errors

A popular but naive notion that sign language interpreters should strive for perfect temporal synchrony with the source message has persisted for a long time. This study provides evidence that imposing such a constraint or expectation upon interpreters results in inaccurate interpretation and an increase in interpreter errors or miscues. An analysis and count of miscues in actual interpreter performances has been compared with interpreters’ lag time (i.e. the time between delivery of the original message and delivery of the interpreted message). The result shows an inverse relationship between the amount of lag time and the number of interpreter errors. This relationship has serious implications for interpreter educational programs, interpreter assessment programs, and programs intended to make consumers aware of interpreting’s limitations.