Subproject 3: Intonation

This project investigates quality in simultaneous interpreting with special emphasis on intonation, defined as the variation and range of fundamental frequency, which is perceived as pitch. The aim is to assess the impact of monotonous intonation (i.e. a narrow fundamental frequency range) in an interpreter’s delivery on message comprehension by the audience. As a follow-up to the seminal study by Shlesinger (1994), an experiment will be conducted to test the research hypothesis that poor intonation has a negative impact on message comprehension in the interpreter’s audience. Different versions of a simultaneous interpretation will be produced by an interpreter shadowing an existing interpretation with specified intonational characteristics, using acoustic analysis software (PRAAT) to measure and verify the difference between the lively and monotonous versions.

This project is carried out by Elisabeth Holub.