Measuring the “invisible”: Clarifying the concept of cognitive effort in translation and interpreting processes

Abstract

Although translation and interpreting (T&I) involve multiple cognitive processes, the role of cognitive effort is often overlooked and needs to be conceptualized more fully to better understand the complexity of these tasks. This article seeks to “measure the invisible” by 1) exploring its definition and application in existing research, 2) conducting a multidimensional analysis based on cost and reward, and 3) highlighting its relevance to T&I research and education. Our framework includes internal cost, opportunity cost, need for cognition, and learned industriousness. This allows for a more precise measurement of effort and a better understanding of individual differences and task requirements in T&I research. For education, the framework offers insights into strategies for managing workload, distributing practice, and developing adaptive expertise. By clarifying the multidimensional nature of cognitive effort, we can improve T&I research and develop sustainable practices for practitioners. Keywords: cognitive effort, translation and interpreting (T&I), internal cost, opportunity cost, need for cognition, learned industriousness