Exploring the Impact of Learner Factors on English-Persian Consecutive Interpreting: Anxiety in Focus

Abstract

Interpreting is a challenging and stressful activity that requires real-time processing of complex information. As psychological factors such as anxiety can significantly impact an interpreter's performance, it is crucial to consider addressing these concerns in interpreter training programs. This study aimed to investigate stressors in consecutive interpreting (CI) and the interplay among various learner factors and the outcome of CI in Iranian classrooms. The study focused on four potential stressors, foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), interpreting classroom anxiety (ICA), trait and state anxiety. A quantitative approach was used to examine 88 CI students. The results showed that trait anxiety had the greatest impact, followed by state anxiety and foreign language classroom anxiety, while interpreting anxiety had the lowest impact on CI students. Furthermore, the study found significant positive correlations between the different anxiety factors and that all four predictors had a significant negative impact on CI exam scores. Trait anxiety was the strongest predictor, followed by ICA, state anxiety, and FLCA. The study contributes to the limited research on Interpreting Studies in Iran and highlights the importance of addressing anxiety in interpreter training programs to improve student awareness of the impact of anxiety on their CI performance.