STRESS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND INTERPRETER EFFECTIVENESS IN HIGH-PRESSURE SIMULTANEOUS SETTINGS

Abstract

Simultaneous interpreting is widely recognized as one of the most cognitively demanding forms of bilingual language processing, requiring interpreters to comprehend, process, and reproduce messages almost instantaneously. In high-pressure professional environments such as diplomatic summits, international conferences, legal proceedings, and live media broadcasts, interpreters are exposed to intense psychological and emotional demands that may significantly affect performance quality. This article investigates the relationship between stress, emotional regulation, and interpreter effectiveness in high-pressure simultaneous settings. Drawing on cognitive psychology, interpreting studies, and emotional intelligence research, the study explores how stress influences working memory, attention control, and processing speed, all of which are crucial for accurate interpretation. The paper further examines the role of emotional regulation strategies in helping interpreters maintain composure, accuracy, and resilience under pressure. The findings indicate that although moderate stress may increase alertness and task engagement, excessive stress often causes cognitive overload, resulting in omissions, reduced fluency, and semantic distortions. The study concludes that emotional regulation training should be systematically integrated into interpreter education in order to enhance both professional performance and psychological endurance