REMOTE INTERPRETING AS PART OF INTERPRETER TRAINING AT SLOVAK UNIVERSITIES
Vol.12, Issue 1, 2026, pp. 150-172 Full text: PDF . HTML
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.26.1.10
Web of Science: [WOS=]
Author:
Andrej Birčák https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9359-0446
Affiliation: Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia 002qhr126
Abstract
Remote interpreting experienced a global surge during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the restrictions that prohibited face-to-face meetings. Although pandemic measures have since been lifted, remote interpreting has remained a relevant and deliberately chosen modality rather than merely an emergency solution. Given its strengthened position on the market, this study examines how translation and interpreting programs at Slovak universities prepare future interpreters for remote interpreting. The data were collected through four focus group interviews and three individual interviews with a total of fifteen university teachers of interpreting courses across all five Slovak universities offering translation and interpreting programs. A thematic analysis of the interviews reveals a lack of systematic approach to remote interpreting training. Remote interpreting is addressed theoretically at two universities and practiced at one, but in each case only superficially, usually as a broader package of interpreting modalities or as a space for experimentation. At the same time, the participants agree that dedicated remote training would benefit students. The findings also outline ways to integrate remote interpreting into existing curricula and identify key challenges, such as the insufficient number of interpreting courses and limited technological resources. Understanding how remote interpreting is currently incorporated into interpreter training in Slovakia can support future improvements to better align education with market needs.
Keywords: remote interpreting, interpreter training, university curriculum, teacher, Slovakia
Article history:
Submitted: 20 December 2025
Reviewed: 10 January 2026
Accepted: 17 April 2026
Published: 20 June 2026
Citation (APA):
Birčák, A. (2026). Remote interpreting as part of interpreter training at Slovak universities. English Studies at NBU, 12(1), 150-172. https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.26.1.10
Copyright © 2026 Andrej Birčák
This is an Open Access article published and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Handling Editor: Stan Bogdanov, New Bulgarian University
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